More than 1,500 attendees are anticipated.
Faith Lutheran Church in Aurora, Illinois, is preparing for over 1,500 attendees at its annual helicopter Easter egg drop event. This popular tradition, now in its 15th year, will take place on the Saturday before Easter and is organized by the church, which has approximately 500 members.
The event’s origins trace back to a tragic helicopter crash in Chicago in 2008. Pastor Rob Douglas explained that the church hosted the memorial service for the victims and allowed a memorial headstone to be placed on the church grounds. The family involved expressed their gratitude and offered to help the church in return. Pastor Douglas mentioned his long-standing dream of hosting a helicopter Easter egg drop, and Air Angels, a flight company, generously donated a helicopter for the first three years.
Since the inaugural event in 2009, which had around 200 attendees, the Easter egg drop has grown significantly and now draws around 1,500 people each year. The event not only features the helicopter egg drop but also includes games, music, prizes, bounce houses, and food trucks.
Pastor Douglas views the event as an opportunity to connect with the community. It allows people to visit the church and feel welcomed by around 40 volunteers. The church uses the occasion to share information about its kids’ and student ministries, invite attendees to Easter services, and keep them informed about upcoming events like Vacation Bible School.
Other churches have followed suit, using helicopter egg drops as a way to foster community engagement. In 2022, for instance, 7 Hills Church in Kentucky held multiple egg drop events across Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday, distributing 200,000 eggs to attendees.