As eggs are for Easter, candy canes are for Walnutport each Christmas, when the red-and-white striped treats are scattered across fields in the borough park, waiting to be picked up.

That tradition was maintained Saturday at Northern Lehigh Recreation’s fourth annual candy cane hunt.

The event boasted caroling by the Northern Lehigh High School Concert Choir, cookies and crafts.

“This just gives people an opportunity to get out,” Lindsay Taylor, executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority, said of the hunt.

“It’s one of these events that make it a nice place to live.”

The threat of rain warded off some participants, making this year’s event smaller than those past.

Still, by 10:45 a.m., most all 5,000-some candies had been plucked from the ground, just 15 minutes after the hunt began.

“Look, look,” 2-year-old Emmalyn Abernathy said in a dash toward her mother, Mandi Abernathy. Emmalyn’s white paper bag was half full with candy canes and Mike and Ikes.

Mandi, of Mechanicsburg, grew up in Danielsville, just minutes from Walnutport. She brought her family back home for the weekend to visit grandparents, pick up their tree in Bath and participate in Saturday’s hunt.

“I think the kids are having a good time,” Mandi said.

Close to her, Emmalyn crouched down for candy, careful not to leave too many canes behind.

“Is it heavy?” Mandi asked Emmalyn of the sugar-filled bag she held.

“Yes,” the girl answered simply, turning back around and continuing her search.