April 5 — No hunt required for this candy

The East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters host the annual Easter hunt with no eggs, lots of candy

Andrew Hosford / of The Herald

East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters will get a chance to watch a search on Saturday in Sumner instead of doing it themselves.

Now in its 17th year, the annual Easter hunt at Sunset Chev Stadium will be less about looking for eggs and more about simply providing a fun day for Sumner residents.

“The citizens always give to us,” Firefighter Mike Giefer said. “This is our way of giving back.”

Instead of spreading eggs throughout the stadium, the firefighters make it easy on the children who show up.

More than 2,000 pounds of candy is simply poured into the middle of the football field and children run out and gather as much as they can.

“It just becomes a sea of white (wrappers),” Giefer said of the pile.

No matter the age, he said it only takes each group five to 10 minutes to clear the mound of candy.

“When we leave, it is as clean as when we started,” he said.

The tradition began with the Sumner Fire Department, which is now a part of East Pierce, nearly a decade ago and has grown larger ever since.

After the third year, Giefer said the hunt outgrew Loyalty Park and they moved to Sunset Chev Stadium.

“The guys here have a great time doing it,” John McDonald said, a deputy chief.

Greg Reinke, Ron Anderson and Mike Gladstone of local firefighter union 3520 join Giefer as the team that organizes the event each year.

“It has gotten bigger and bigger each year,” Giefer said.

The event is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

Though the event is free, people are encouraged to bring food, clothing and monetary donations for the Sumner Food Bank.

“We don’t accept any money for ourselves,” he added. “It all goes to the food bank.”

Upon entering, participants receive raffle tickets for prizes that include his and hers bicycles.

The Easter Bunny, of course, will also be making an appearance during the day.

“It’s a great way to give back to the community,” McDonald said.