Families hop around a church at the annual Easter festival

Apr 20, 2019

ROCHESTER —  The smell of cotton candy and hotdogs wafted through the air, and First Congregational Church was loud with the chatter of more than 385 children and their families at Saturday’s Easter Carnival. 

Captain Bonney's Ice Cream, the Plumb Corner Merchants, the Rochester Lions Club, the Rochester Women's Club, the Rochester Police Department, and Plumb Library all collaborated with the church to put together the April 20 event.

At the entrance to the festival, families were handed plastic goody bags with “He is Risen” printed on them.

Young kids, many sporting Easter-themed outfits and face paint, chased the Easter Bunny, eager to shake his hand or take a photo with him, while church volunteers fashioned balloon animals. Other children hopped around in the outdoor bouncy house.

Children would play mini-games to earn tickets and prizes such as candy-filled Easter eggs, Easter decorations, children’s bibles, candy canes, plushies and  plastic rings. 

Angel Delgado came to the festival for the first time with his 2-year-old daughter, Leah Sophia Delgado.

“It’s actually pretty good, there’s a lot of activities so I love it,” said Delgado.

First Congregational Church Sunday School Superintendent Noelle Johnson emphasized that putting the festival together was a community-wide effort. At the festival planning meetings, Johnson was moved to tears by the outpouring community support.

“I just love where we live. I love my town, [and] that we can all come together and do an event that is fun for the kids, it’s just fantastic,” said Johnson.

Plumb Corner donated 200 hotdogs and buns for the event and the church put together 5,000 Easter eggs.

Last year, said Johnson, 300 people showed up to the carnival and she did not think the numbers would exceed that amount this year, noting only 115 people pre-registered.

“I didn’t know what to expect but it has exceeded my expectations.” said Johnson.