GENOA - With Easter being so early this year, the Rev. Larry Bell wondered if the annual Easter egg hunt for the children would have to be done inside.

But Bell received a gift of spring-like temperatures and sunshine on Saturday for the United Church of Genoa's Easter Egg Hunt. Children from Genoa and surrounding communities were treated to a day of Easter activities at the church in preparation for Easter Sunday a week away.

"The weather cooperated nicely and we were even able to hide the eggs in the grass," Bells said.

Saturday's events at were much more than just an Easter egg hunt. There was a jellybean raffle - whoever guessed closest to the number of jellybeans in the jar won them all. There was also food and treats for the children, who received prizes of toys and candy in their eggs.

Perhaps the most important part of the day's events was the puppet show provided for the children. The show, starring "Hummer The Bee," "Catnip The Caterpillar," and "Slinky the Snail," showed the importance of sharing with friends and how Easter is about Jesus Christ.

"My favorite (puppet) was the bumblebee," said Zachary Mosley, 4, of Auburn. "He had a big voice."

The voice Mosley was referring was Bell's. The minister discussed the importance of teaching the proper message about Easter to the young children.

"The event is great for the community and helps us get the real message of Easter across to the children," Bell said. "We have a pretty good mission to the children here in Genoa."

The entire event was a great way for the community to come together for a few hours of fun, organizers said.

"Events like these are important to our community," said Elaine Redder, a member of the church. "It's important these days for communities to participate in hometown events, and the Easter egg hunt is a great tradition that we are passing onto the children."