ALABASTER – Kindergarteners at Meadow View Elementary School spent part of the morning of Friday, March 23, gathering Easter eggs at the school’s annual Egg Drop event.

Members of the Alabaster Fire Department parked one of their firetrucks on a field on school property and dropped hundreds of brightly colored, plastic eggs from the top of an extended ladder. After all of the them had fallen, the students ran onto the field and collected 15 eggs each.

“We are so thankful that the fire department is here,” said Julie Howantiz, who organized the event with fellow teacher Kayla Harris.

Howanitz said this is the school’s third year to host the Egg Drop, and teachers originally got the idea from teachers from other schools.

“We went to an engineering workshop, and some of the teachers talked to us about how it gets the community involved,” Howanitz said.

Student Shekinah Mwangi said she really enjoyed opening the eggs she found to find an assortment of candy and prizes.

Because the Egg Drop was held after St. Patrick’s Day, student Emma Smith said she thought the Egg Drop incorporated two holidays after she found a chocolate coin wrapped in green foil in the grass while hunting.

“I think a leprechaun did this,” Emma said. “I really liked finding the eggs and getting coins and candy.”

Howanitz said the school enjoys hosting the Egg Drop each year, and the event is anticipated by teachers and students alike.

“The kids always have a really good time,” Howanitz said.