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BNHS Easter Egg-stravaganza draws organizations from community together
By Anne Eickstadt
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Egg-stravanza greeters were Student Board members Margaret Corio, Simon Garcia-Acevedo, and Aurora DiLorenzo.
The Belvidere North High School Student Council invited organizations from around Belvidere and its residents to join them for games and activities in the school’s cafeteria area on Thursday, March 23. Student Council greeters met everyone at the front door and directed them to the fun. The event began at 5 p.m. and ended two hours later, at 7 p.m. Each organization had a couple of tables or an empty area in which to organize their activities and information.
Student Council members greeted everyone as they entered BNHS and directed them to the Egg-sravaganza. A photo op with the Easter Bunny was next on the path to the games.
Just inside the cafeteria, the Belvidere Park District had a table for kids to paint an Easter egg picture with mini pom-poms held with clothespins. They could dip the pom-poms in a paper plate filled with paint in the color of their choice to paint their pictures. The seats filled up quickly.
Jen Jacky, Executive Director of the Belvidere Park District, said, “We are excited that we are able to be a part of this event, interact with the community, and share our services. This year we will be moving our movies from Sundstrand Park to the Baltic Mill stage and the movies will be free.”
On June 16, ‘The Bad Guys,’ will be playing. ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ will play on July 21, and Aug. 18, ‘Avengers: End Game’ will be shown. Bring a chair and/or a blanket and watch movies at the park under the stars. The park will be ready at 7:30 p.m. and the movies will begin at dark.
The Splash Pad at Doty Park will also be having some special events. There will be music and a foam party for Hawaiian Night on July 7 and a Country Night on Aug. 4. Splash Pad Cooling House rentals are available. Rent the AJ Pavilion Cooling House to host your next party. (24 people maximum) $40 per hour. Splash pad will be open weather permitting.
You can also rent out the River’s Edge Rec Center for a Nerf Birthday Party. The park district will provide the ammunition, you provide your own Nerf guns for a birthday bash long remembered. You can host 10- 18 children, the gym for one hour, the party room for half an hour, and get four pizzas.
Another party idea is the Roller Skating Party in Doty Park. You can rent out the Riverside Arena and throw an outdoor Roller Skating Party. The par will provide the rink, tunes, games, pizza, and party space. You provide your own roller skates and protective gear.
Keep an eye on what the Belvidere Park District is offering and the opportunities and events they have on Facebook at Belvidere District Township Park District.
Next to the Belvidere Park District, the Belvidere Family YMCA had a table where guests could make tissue paper flowers. Chief Executive Director Cherie Dollinger said, “We are out here doing a craft for the kids at this spring event. We always want to be out here for the community. The YMCA will hold a pop-up food bash on Friday, March 31 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. – first come, first served. No proof of need will be requested. It will help to be able to show that you have a child 18-years-old or younger in the household.” The YMCA is also understaffed and looking for help.
The BNHS Student Council planned the Egg-stravaganza and ran several tables and games. Council members Candy Bloome, Corinne Bostmas, and Amanda Newmas were the ones who came up with the idea. Bloome said, We haven’t had a spring event since before COVID hit. Bunny pictures are expensive for families so we are supplying an opportunity for bunny pics for the kids. Several tables run by Student Council members had spinning wheels for prizes. 12 organizations participated.
The National Honor Society had a pick-a-duck pool, face painting, and a knock down challenge. The District 100 Language and Culture Club ( attended by Sonja McClain and Moncerrat Medina) also had a pick-a-duck.
The BNHS Community Chest, with Delaney Crawford, has a food pantry, hygiene products, and clothes and coloring pages. UNICEF had a ring toss.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Dept. was giving away deputy hats (plastic), 911 coloring books, badges, and stickers, mini beach balls, bracelets, information, and light-up squad car keychains.
A good time was had by all and the Student Council is already thinking about their next community event.
