Great Falls Optimist Club

Spring Festival

Each year the Optimists help organize the Great Falls Children’s Spring Festival.  In the past, it was held at the Village Centre, usually in late March from 2:00 to 4:30 pm.  The festival was co-sponsored by the the Great Falls Optimist Club as its annual fundraiser,  Adeler Jewelers and the Village Centre.  In addition to a wildly-popular egg hunt, the event included mini carnival rides, hay rides, face painting, the Easter Bunny and much more. 

The egg hunt included over $5000 worth of gemstones donated by Adeler Jewelers, mixed with candy and stuffed into over 10,000 colored plastic eggs that were scattered around the Village Centre for children ages 1-10 to find.  A wonderful tradition in the community, this event has raised over $5,000 each year for charity.  All proceeds go to the Great Falls Optimist Club Children’s Fund.

    An area for very young children is separate from the rest of the village green, so the little tykes actually have a chance to find eggs without being beaten to the punch by older children. Squeals of delight from children finding eggs are joined by squeals of delight from moms who find wonderful gem stones tucked in with their children’s candy.

     Of course, a large bunny was on hand to cheer on the revelers and pose for pictures. Carnival rides kept children entertained before and after the egg hunt. And, just as enjoyably, families met up with friends, touched base with folks they see only once a year at this family-oriented event, and rekindled friendships that grew right along with their children.

The  admission fee  included all the rides and games children could enjoy during the 2 ½  hour period, as well as the egg hunt.  Tickets went on sale the day of the event, at 11:00.  Participation was limited to 1000 children.