Downtown Vicksburg is holding an Easter egg hunt. It’s not your typical egg hunt, but this is one the whole family is sure to enjoy.

Vicksburg families can drive slowly between the 1100 and 1500 blocks of Washington Street to spot brightly decorated eggs that are hanging in front of various merchants’ storefronts. There will be no need to get out of the car, which allows for social distancing.

Kelle Barfield, owner of Lorelei Books, explained that each large painted egg features one letter of the alphabet.

Once the eggs with letters are spotted, students can jot down or remember the letters found. They are then invited to email a list of words spelled from all the letters they spot to words@loreleibooks.com.

Barfield said she is all about making learning fun and with a competitive component.

“I think this will be a fun way to practice spelling skills with younger students and challenge the observation skills and creativity of teens and parents while enjoying family time in the car,” she said.

Beginning Monday, 12 students who submit the longest list will each win a $10 Lorelei Books gift certificate.

The gift certificates have been made possible from a Lorelei Books customer, Barfield said.

“One of our loyal customers wanted to support the bookstore since we’re closed to walk-in customers in April. We’re delivering and shipping books, but he gave our sales a boost by purchasing gift certificates that I’ve been giving to COVID-19 first responders,” Barfield said. “Using his gift to support learning in a healthy family outing was another great way to support our community.”

Peterson’s in downtown has also jumped in on the egg hunt and will match the Lorelei Books awards with a $10 gift certificate for each adult driver of the 12 winning students.

Barfield said the idea to hold an Easter egg hunt with a social distancing twist had been suggested by Vicksburg High School instructor Angela Chapin.

“She (Chapin) suggested I come up with some sort of distant Easter egg hunt, based on a similar idea she saw,” she said.

Barfield said she enjoyed the challenge of being creative herself by using entirely recycled materials for the eggs.

“I cut leftover election campaign signs for the eggs, used paint from recent downtown building renovations we’re doing, decorated with fabric and tissue scraps I saved, and even hung the eggs using old rebar ties from the house my husband and I built together,” Barfield said. “I hope the result will be eye candy for the entire family.”