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The Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters’ Association hosted a lively Easter Egg Hunt at a damp Memorial Park today.

SMVFA President Bill Messersmith said that when he became a member 35 years ago, the Easter Egg Hunt had already been happening for a long time.

SMVFA member Eric Bredeson said he was pleased with today’s turnout to the annual event, although some hunters may have stayed away because of the wet conditions. He said that the association has hosted as many as 1,000 children at the egg hunt in previous years and that there were probably 600 to 700 children there today.

Click on the photo to see a slideshow of the Easter Egg Hunt

A few golden egg-finders could bring their treasures to SMFVA members to receive an impressive Easter prize basket filled with goodies. One adult was caught red-handed with a golden egg by none other than Easter Egg Hunt Chair Mike Comer, who politely asked the interloper to let the kids find the egg.

But, at this event, everyone was a winner, as it appeared that all hunters took home their own baskets and bags — and in one reported case, an overturned coat — chock-full of found candy.

Mike Comer reported that Nestle USA donated all the candy for the event.

“[Nestle USA takes] good care of us every year,” Comer said.

The SMVFA is made up of current and retired members of the Sierra Madre Fire Department.

During the year, they sponsor a number of events, many of them youth-related, like the Santa visit and stocking give-away in December.

In addition to being involved in the Memorial Park cannon restoration, SMVFA donated $20,000 to the Sierra Madre Elementary School Save the Field campaign. They also have an additional $10,000 matching fund pending for personal, not corporate, donations.

And, Messersmith said proudly, “We’ll sponsor any athletic team that asks us.”