T-L File Photo/JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH THE EASTER BUNNY greets children and families while riding on the back of an all-terrain vehicle at Easter time last year in Belmont. This year the village will host an Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m. Saturday at the village playground by the gymnasium.

BELMONT — The village of Belmont is gearing up for its annual community Easter egg hunt for children starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the village playground by the gymnasium.

Mayor Ron Woods said hundreds of plastic eggs filled with goodies donated by village residents and businesses will be scattered across the grounds for children to grab.

Local Scouts volunteered to stuff the eggs in preparation for the hunt.

Woods anticipates at least 20 to 30 children will attend, but he is hoping for more. Woods said there also will be prizes. Refreshments and doughnuts will be provided by the Belmont Methodist Church for participants attending the morning event.

“We canceled last year because of COVID. We wanted to see if we could do this, and it’s going to happen,” he said on Thursday.

Woods took office in January 2020. The first couple months of his term were going fine and then the pandemic started, he noted.

“I got my first year under my belt. … When COVID hit it put a damper on most of my plans. I couldn’t have any fundraisers or do anything,” he said. “I’m hoping to start back up with that stuff.”

In case of inclement weather, the hunt will be held the following Saturday, April 10, in the same location.

“The weather is supposed to be good this Saturday; I don’t think it will be a problem,” he said.

Woods said he wants to encourage families to come out and let their children enjoy the hunt and visiting with other children.

“It’s an all-around good thing,” he noted.

He added there may be some families who might not feel comfortable participating because of the ongoing pandemic.

People are asked to bring their own bag or basket for the hunt.

Other communities holding Easter activities on Saturday include:

— Village of Bethesda is holding an Easter egg hunt at 11 a.m. at the Epworth Park playground area. The hunt is for children up to 12 years old. There will be treats for all who participate. There also will be prizes drawn for a boy and girl in each age group: zero to 3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 years old. The Easter Bunny is expected to make an appearance after the hunt and to pose for pictures with children.

— In Martins Ferry, the Easter Bunny will ride on a Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department engine from 1-4 p.m. around the city.

— The Warren Township Lions Club will host the Easter Bunny during a drive-by event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lions Shelter at Warren Township Park, Tiltonsville. Treats will be given out.

— In Bellaire, the Easter Bunny will ride on a Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department engine starting at 1 p.m. throughout the village. Treats will be given out. The ride route will begin in the northern part of the village and end in the southern part.