CKI’s 10th annual Easter Egg Hunt was its largest egg hunt to date

On April 4, 2026, the Circle K club of Pitt-Greensburg, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greensburg, organized its annual easter egg hunt on the Pitt-Greensburg campus lawn.

Every year, more than 5,000 eggs are hand-filled with delicious candies and chocolates by CKI members and various clubs and organizations. 

This event, hosted every spring, is CKI’s biggest on-campus event. Brian Root, the Advisor for CKI and president of the Kiwanis club, says, “It’s really turned into a pretty big event for people in the community. I love that it brings families, faculty, staff, and their children to campus.”

Brian Root standing behind a giant peep

“Obviously, it helped that it was a really nice day,” Root says.

This event is free of charge and open to the local surrounding communities of Greensburg and Hempfield. Root says, “We don’t charge anybody, I do love that as well, because it’s really hard to find free events like that in the community.”

This year was the first year local businesses and shops participated. Root says the event is leading to some partnerships with local communities and groups, “the fire department was excited to be here. Kona Ice and Traveling Tom’s coffee, that was the first time we ever had any kind of food vendor trucks here.” The local K9 team was also present at the event. 

However, this year’s egg hunt was scheduled on Easter weekend, which made it tricky for many students to attend. As a result, many student organizations and clubs that were present at last year’s egg hunt were not present at this year’s. 

Still, kids from all over the area of Greensburg and Hempfield came, accompanied by their parents to fill their Easter baskets with candy-filled eggs. 

Three different sections were dedicated to the egg hunt, and the members of Circle K, as well as students from Latrobe High School, came out to help and support during the event. They laid out the eggs on each dedicated section of the lawn.

On the front lawn in front of Chambers next to the flag poles was the 5 and under section, the lawn near and around McKenna was reserved for the children between the ages 6 and 9 and the last section which was the lawn around the basketball and volleyball court, was reserved for the children aged 10 to 12 one for 5 and under the front lawn with the flag poles, 6 – 9 the lawn near and around McKenna hall and 10 – 12. 

Parents and their children checked in at the check-in table, then waited for the desired moment to arrive. The Kiwanis Club of Greensburg had a table set up with free children’s books for kids to choose from. 

Pictured above are two Kiwanis Club members.

Each kid waits patiently in front of the lawn for the air horn to sound at 2:30 pm, then they all rush to get their fill of eggs.

Chalk was also available for the kids, and many took that opportunity to draw bunnies, flowers, and much more on the sidewalk of Chambers.

Pictured above are drawings made by the children during the event. 

Bobcat the Bruiser, along with the Easter Bunny, was also present at the event. Each taking pictures with the children and families. 

Root says, “It’s funny because when we’re putting them out, I can always sense that they’re like, ‘This is so many eggs.’ But then you watch the kids get them, and you’re like ‘Wow, that was quick.’”

Some eggs had more than just candy: 100 eggs held a small paper ticket for a choice of a prize.There was a prize table in front of Chambers that two CKI members oversaw, which held an array of different prizes for the lucky kids to choose from. 

They also briefly had a temporary tattoo and face painting tables.

“For me, it’s just about seeing people have fun, seeing people have smiles on their faces and just enjoy a fun day because it’s free, right?” Root says. 

Next year, be sure to spread the word and come with siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews to spend a nice day and eat lots of delicious candy and chocolate.

Surprise interview with this year’s easter bunny

Pictured above are Circle K club member Bianca Castaneda, a freshman biology major, and the Easter Bunny.

• How did you hide so many eggs during the night?

“I hired some local garden gnomes. They can be quite helpful when they want to be.”

• Did you enjoy seeing all the children and the smile on their faces?

“Yeah, I liked seeing them run up to me, exclaiming ‘Easter bunny’. One of the children, a young girl, came up to me four times asking for hugs. It was a very sweet moment. This is why I do what I do.” 

• Do you have any plans for the next Easter Egg Hunt? More candy, more chocolate? 

“I’ve planned something for the parents. They deserve a treat as well. I will hide among the regular eggs, some golden eggs with gold bars. This should make every parent smile.” 

• What is your favorite type of candy? 

“Twix, and a 100 grand candy bar. It has everything: crunch, caramel, a good texture and good chocolate.”

• How high can you hop? 

“7 feet on a good day. The trick is to crouch really low and put all your strength in your legs as you spring up.”