By Christopher Johnson
Hopefully everybody had a happy Easter this past weekend!
This has been a great season for our county’s eggstravaganza events and the kids couldn’t appear more thrilled as our dip through April Valley peaks to a close. Seeing our kids happy and healthy, outdoors, away from devices, should be something that puts a smile on all of our faces in these seemingly bleak times.
Last Saturday, Clare’s Parks and Recreation team organized yet another Easter egg drop at the Clare Municipal Airport where nearly two thousand eggs rained down to be collected by an attendance of roughly 837 early risers and their kiddos.
Much like Farwell’s egg grab the previous weekend, the event was structured in three age groups from youngest to oldest. The plane, a 1956 Piper Tri-Pacer, would take off and circle the vicinity, and then empty its hatch in a dazzling flurry as it circled back over the drop zone. Then of course, the kids would wait for the cue to rush the field. From where I stood as a spectator, it genuinely looked like something out of a movie like Lord of the Rings or Braveheart. Except these little warriors were much shorter and far more colorful.
There’s nothing quite like watching a wall of bodies converge forward at once in a wide open area. Anybody who’s been to a rock concert and has witnessed a Wall of Death will know this thrill. It’s very exciting visually, but imagine what these kids are feeling after seeing a downpour of orbs shower the grass in front of them. They’re not thinking about the things we are. Not inflation. Not politics. Not work. Not gas prices. None of it.
They are completely invested in running as fast as they can and collecting as many colorful capsules as possible. Knowing there’s not just candy inside but a slew of awesome prizes organized generously by our community. From gift cards to fishing poles, to bicycles.
That’s what it’s all about, right? Seeing our kids hopped up and happy. Encouraging them to look forward to fun opportunities that are real and tangible. Without the middleman of a screen there to seduce their psyche and fracture the experience.
I am happy to report that is exactly how that particular morning went and if you were there, you probably had a great time too. No animosity. No feuding. No outbreak of disrespect. Much like St. Paddy’s weekend, Easter was just as warm and wholesome.
We should be so very thankful for that.
The event’s pilot was Dick Acker, an ace of 62 years without a single scare or engine failure. So he’s basically a superhero in his field. He has also been airport manager 2 times prior before being succeeded by Gary Todd. When I asked how it felt performing this stunt every year, his reply was sensible: Challenging.
“The whole idea is safety”, he explains. That’s what this is all about. We do a lot of plan-ning, a lot of preparation. We do dry runs, just to make sure everyone is going to be safe and nobody’s going to get hurt.”
And for an audience of children, that’s exactly what we parents want. Safety. Peace of mind. Trust in our professionals.
But it wasn’t just an egg drop. It was also very much a party. With games, music and snacks aplenty, helmed by many of our community leaders who came to oversee their contributions personally, as well as many volunteers. Such volunteers were Ray Johnson and Boy Scout Troop 620. A small squad of friendly faces who helped direct foot traffic and assist anyone who needed assistance.
And of course, the Easter Bunny himself made an appearance.
Who posed for pictures, engaged in the games and dancing, and playfully interacted ever so gently and with our youngest. Always a delight.
Overall, it was yet another successful notch in Clare’s 2025 belt and we can all rejoice as the grass becomes much greener and the skies much bluer.
It’s going to be a great summer.
And in the spirit of Easter, let me just leave you with my favorite scripture that I think applies to everyone regardless of what you believe:
Luke 6:31 -Treat others just as you want to be treated.
Fun fact: Did you know if a plane like Acker’s did encounter trouble in the skies, it’s actually a very manageable solution? Assuming the pilot is experienced with thick skin, he can repurpose the failing craft as a glider and coast gradually toward a safe landing zone. Unlike commercial airliners who, let’s face it, are usually doomed in these situations. However the smaller plane’s shape can adapt more forgivably to the laws of gravity and the pilot will live to laugh and tell the tale. So if you catch wind of an opportunity to tour the sky in a small aircraft like the ones at the Clare airport, rest assured, you’re in good hands with these old boys.
