The Paris Wincey Mills Co. officially kicked off the second week of its Easter Eggstravaganza on Thursday, March 23, 2023.
The Wincey Mills Market is hosting an ongoing egg hunt from March 18 to April 9 and will take place Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..
One large easter egg is being hidden at a different vendor each day rather than hiding multiple eggs around the market. Every time someone spots the “wanted” egg, they get to pick out a smaller plastic egg from a basket for a chocolate and a prize.
“Each one has a piece of chocolate in it, and they also have either little bits and bobs – like freebies from different businesses or coupons,” said Kara Kalvapalle, owner of KLK Paris and the Social Media and Special Events Coordinator for the market. “So, some of the coupons are for something free, for example I have some free scrunchies that I’ve been giving out, or the coupon may be for a discount for different specials like two-for-one popcorn.”
Kalvapalle organized the Easter Eggstravaganza alongside Jennifer von Schleinitz, Venue Manager at the Paris Beer Co., and the idea behind the egg hunt was to get visitors exploring the market more.
“What’s so great about the intention of it, and what works so great about the contest is that it encourages people to move around the market and check out other vendors,” said von Schleinitz. “So, I might be coming in for popcorn, but I have to find the egg somewhere else and now I’m brought to that stall and on top of it, my prize could be from anywhere. It’s really the whole market holistically working together to create this experience.”
The egg hunt started last Saturday and both von Schleinitz and Kalvapalle were happy with the turnout.
“We started last Saturday, and it was busy – it was really fun to see,” said Kalvapalle. “We actually had it hidden right across from me and it was nice to watch everyone see where it was hiding. It was cool because it wasn’t just kids, there were lots of adults who were like ‘I found the egg!’ then they would get their little treat and they were excited about it.”
Vendors inside of the market are also enjoying the interactive part of the ongoing event.
“I think it’s great,” said Lisa Franklin of The Udder Way Artisan Cheese Co. “I think it’s fun and it’s nice to have sort of an interactive situation and everybody gets to contribute, you know? It’s not just one vendor as opposed to another and it’s really nice for everyone.”
Other features of the Easter Eggstravaganza include an Easter Bunny visiting the Market on April 8, as well as an ongoing colouring contest until April 9 when one winner will be chosen by random draw.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
