The DeKalb Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold its 63rd annual Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hopkins Park.

“According to people down here, it’s the longest-running Easter egg hunt, except for the one on the lawn of the White House,” said Jerry Lundgren, commander of the DeKalb VFW Post 2287.

The VFW Easter egg hunt tradition was started in 1941 by a group of World War I veterans who wanted to host a fun event for the children of DeKalb while the United States was embarking on World War II.

The White House Easter egg hunt is the oldest one in the United States, dating back to 1878 when President Rutherford Hayes hosted the largest public event held at the White House.

The DeKalb Easter egg hunt is not that old compared to the White House’s, but is a very proud tradition in DeKalb.

VFW members will join together the day before the event to prepare 60 dozen eggs that will be hidden throughout the park for the children to find. Each egg will be stamped with a monetary value that the children can cash in to receive money. All costs of the event and the $100 in prize money are being donated by the DeKalb VFW.

The egg hunt will last for a few hours and will be held regardless of weather conditions. Children ages 1 to 12 will be divided into groups based on age. Parents are urged to bring their own baskets for their children to carry the eggs.