ANDES — On Saturday, April 20, the courtyard of The Andes Hotel was transformed into a vibrant springtime scene as children fanned out across the grass in search of hundreds of pastel-colored eggs — and 20 coveted golden ones containing cash prizes of up to $500.
Now in its fifth year, the annual Easter event, hosted by hotel owner Derek Curl and designer Heather Kerr, has become a hallmark of community celebration in Delaware County. What began as a modest act of kindness during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has since evolved into a highly anticipated tradition, drawing families from across the region.
From late morning into early afternoon, children received hand-assembled Easter baskets — one for every child in attendance — before taking part in the egg hunt, which was organized by age group. The event, free to the public, was supported by a team of volunteers and hotel staff who worked behind the scenes to prepare hundreds of baskets and coordinate a seamless afternoon of activities.
“It’s magical to see how much joy this brings,” Curl said.
He first organized the event in April 2020 when pandemic restrictions left many families unable to gather for the holiday. A handful of volunteers helped distribute 300 baskets from the hotel parking lot, while Curl, dressed as the Easter Bunny, waved to children from the porch.
Today, the effort is spearheaded by Kerr, who begins planning months in advance to transform the hotel grounds into a festive landscape. “Watching the same children return year after year, seeing their faces light up — it’s worth every minute,” she said.
The Easter celebration is one of several annual events hosted by Curl and his team, who also organize a December tree lighting and a Giving Tree program to support families through the Andes Food Pantry.
“This town has given me so much,” Curl said. “I just want to give something meaningful back.”
