Premier to get his face painted

A modern Easter tradition has been resurrected by Premier Craig Cannonier.

He will host 400 preschoolers on Saturday at his first annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

The island’s leader also disclosed that he plans to get his face painted. 

The egg hunt was previously staged by Dame Jennifer Smith held while she was in office, but it hasn’t been done in many years.

Government preschools across the island have been invited and there will be close to 2,000 eggs hidden for the sugar-hungry youngsters to find. 

Saturday’s hunt will be held at Camden in the Botanical Gardens.

The Premier says it’s about much more than a treat for kids — he sees is an an opportunity for his government to share its optimism and sense of fun.

“For me, it’s an exciting time,” he told us. “I love kids and it gives me a chance to dress down a little bit and enjoy what’s important. It brings a smile to your face.

“All of Cabinet will be managing this. It’s bringing realism to what we do. Our job is to set the foundation for the country. When we can interact with our young people, it makes life worthwhile.”

Premier Cannonier also spoke about the respite such events provide for himself and his colleagues: also continued: “It’s not an easy job. You’re under pressure for 24 hours a day. You leave here and think you’re knocking off, but you’re not.

“This really makes it worthwhile when you have an opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face. This is our way to be able to give back.”

The event will bring together hundreds of preschoolers at one location. “I don’t know of any event that bring this many kids together,” Premier Cannonier said, adding that he won’t resist the temptation to participate: “I still like an Easter egg. I still like a jellybean. 

“They set the quota at four eggs per child and I’m going to be out there snatching some eggs!” he said with a laugh. 

In addition to the hunt, there will be a DJ playing music, fun castles, face painting, cupcakes, cookies and more. 

Asked why only government preschoolers were invited, protocol officer Debbie Pitt said: “Because it’s a government event, we tend to go to with government schools. We would have been afraid to go outside because the numbers would be crazy.”

Premier Cannonier said: “This is a time really and really for us to celebrate the Easter season and what better way then to have government babysit your kids? 

“This is not just for the kids, it’s for us as well. As we transform government, how we do things, it’s important that we inject some fun back into what we do. More businesses need to find ways to inject fun into what they do. We’re working for this kids and we’re serving them.”

Interaction

He continued: “It hasn’t been done in a long time and it’s now time for us to revitalise something like this.  I can’t say I’m the author because it was done before, but it’s time to bring it back. 

“We don’t need to spend a lot of money to have fun. This is about the interaction of people, which has a far more lasting impression than chocolate.  The chocolate will last for two hours, but the memories of the Easter egg hunt and the fun will be there for years.”

Parents must RSVP to attend and are encouraged to bring a blanket for their child to sit on. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 

Editor’s note: Mikaela Ian Pearman is Premier Craig Cannonier’s daughter.