IN THE SPOTLIGHT: On the hunt for Gasparilla’s Easter Egg Traditions

This Saturday, the Boca Grande Egg Hunt will be held at 10 a.m. at the Community Center, continuing a long island tradition.

Easter egg hunts are a springtime staple across the Christian world, but Gasparilla Island has made them uniquely its own. As both a resort destination and a close-knit community, the island has hosted hunts at clubs, churches and even restaurants over the decades.

According to Betsy Fugate Joiner, a longtime member and supporter of the Boca Grande Historical Society, the Methodist Church and Baptist Church both held Easter egg hunts, as did local clubs. Her late father even hosted one at his restaurant.

“At the old Pink Elephant years ago, when I was growing up, there was one there,” Joiner said. “It used to happen in a raised grassy knoll area.”

The Easter hunts at the Community Center were a way to build up support from the community and were done in cooperation with the Boca Grande Woman’s Club and Lee County, which is sponsoring the hunt this Saturday.

Back in March 1980, which will sound like not too long ago for some, and quite a long time ago for others, it was a busy month at the Boca Grande Community Center, just like today.

The month of events listed in the Boca Beacon included a talk from WINK meteorologist Jim Reif, to movies that included Bloodline, The Great Train Robbery, Moonraker and Woody Allen’s Manhattan. Also at the Community Center were a bevy of children’s events including the Lee County Children’s Theater presentation and an April Fools’ Day skating party, off island.

But the big event was the island Easter egg hunt, with prizes and refreshments. The late Dee Wheeler, for whom a room is named at the Community Center, told the Beacon that prizes would be awarded for most eggs found, for finding the Golden Egg and for finding the Queen’s Nest, which was an early tradition.

“The Queen’s Nest would have a whole bunch of eggs,” said Joiner.

By 1981, when Easter was in mid-April, there was an actual Easter Bunny, and an egg-dyeing party was added. A new children’s choir, the Saints Choir, was involved, as was a new Island Youth Group.

In 1982, Dee Wheeler reported that there were 100 children at the island’s egg hunt, which had moved to Hal Scott Park, also known as the Range Light. Winners that year were Melissa Joiner, David Chatham, Matthew Coleman, Courtney Weingards and Brandy Wheeler. There was also a scavenger hunt, with three teams of three each. The first winner was the team of Stephanie Wheeler, Darlene Edic and Berget Wagshal. Second place was Seal Carter, Meredith Haws and Christine Mayes. Prizes included beach balls and a “sugar egg” with a scene inside. For those who don’t remember, a sugar egg was often sold at Easter time; it was an egg of pure molded sugar, with a scene inside.

The kids went inside for a religious film; it was “A Small One,” which was the story of Mary’s donkey. Wheeler simply wrote, “Everyone enjoyed the day very much.”

By 1983, the event had grown again, and Wheeler was working with Sabrina Long on events. A Parents Advisory Board had been helping with the efforts, as noted in the Beacon’s “Community Center Rec Report.” Guests who wished to register for the contest could sign up by bringing to the registration six colored eggs for hiding, or a dozen candy-packaged eggs.

By 1984, the event was held in late April, due to the date of Easter, according to Ballyhoo. Highlights were a Golden Egg, a Queen’s Nest cluster and the most eggs retrieved. Sign-ups were either at the Community Center or at the Post Office. Winners that year included David Chatham, who won the preschool contest with 11 eggs, and found the Golden Egg. Matt Futch won the kindergarten contest with 10 eggs, followed by Brian McNulty. The girls’ hunt was won by Coleen McNulty with 12 eggs.

Often, the hunts, and spring parades, almost always included island resident “Bicycle Patty” as an Easter Bunny.

Looking back, with the green areas around the Community Center, it was far easier to hide the eggs, with a larger amount of acreage.

“We had all the grounds,” Joiner said.

The Boca Grande Easter Egg Hunt is at 131 1st St. W., Boca Grande. This free event is sponsored by Lee County Parks & Recreation and The Friends of Boca Grande. Activities include egg hunts for ages four and under, five to seven and eight to 11. Please arrive by 9:45 a.m. Bring your camera for a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny.