Festival pinch-hits for opening day
Hundreds of parents with kids in strollers or walking by their side flocked to FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Reading Saturday afternoon on what was originally planned as the opening day for the Reading Fightin Phils.
But due to the pandemic, the Fightins delayed the opening day until May 4 and decided to host an Easter Festival for families at the stadium.
An Easter bunny, played by Nick Helberg, a group sales manager for the Fightins, danced with the children while Mike Kropp of Makin’ Music Gilbertsville played children’s songs and soft rock on his guitar.
“It’s always so great to see so many people from the community in the stadium,” Helberg said during a short break from entertaining the children.
Everyone was out with masks and smiles enjoying snacks in the concession stands enjoying the sunny weather while waiting to go onto the field for a hunt. The participants were social distancing during the twohour event.
Scott Hunsicker, Fightin Phils general manager, said it was the first time the baseball team hosted a stand-alone Easter egg hunt. In the past, the team had such hunts as part of the festivities of a baseball game.
Plastic eggs filled with candy were stored under the bleachers.
Entry fee for adults was $4 and it was $4 more for participation in the onfield hunt.
The youngsters were divided into five age groups.
Each group spent 15 minutes hunting for eggs.
Erin Colby of Shillington and her 4-year-old daughter, Cassidy, sat patiently on a bench with Rachel Walls, and her 5-year-old daughter, Kamaryn, waiting their turn to hunt for eggs.
“We really are die-hard Phillies fans,” Colby said. “We are here all of the time.”
The women said they were happy to get out of the house for a fun activity.
The proceeds from the hunt will benefit the Baseballtown Charities.