Community Volunteers are what make the Cascarones Por la Vida run successfully. Since 2014 Cascarones Por La Vida has been looking for students in high school and college to participate as mentors in their schools to create the cascarones for the annual egg sale. By inviting students to participate they can not only help the mission of art and philanthropy but also share the joy of creating with the community and making the event successful through their own leadership, entrepreneurial skills.
College students can benefit from meeting a great range of people and organizations that support art and philanthropy in the Philadelphia area and beyond.  Please contact us if you are interested in spearheading a cascarones workshop at your school or if you are a college student interested in overseeing the eight week fundraising program. There is a  small stipend for the college position along with a rich experience with the community.
Learn more about the project click  here.
History of the Cascarone
The origin of cascarones (the word means “egg shells” in Spanish) is a little muddled. The cascarone stems from the Italian Renaissance when Italian gentlemen would fill emptied eggs with beautiful perfumes and scented powder to give to their beloved. As with the piñata, the Italians allegedly got the practice, via Marco Polo, from the Chinese, who filled the eggs with powder. The practice of making hollowed-out, surprise-filled eggs moved from Italy, into Austria, France and then to Spain.  Then in the 1860s, Carlota, the wife of Emperor Maximilian, introduced cascarones to Mexico. In Mexico people replaced the perfumed powder with confetti. It was then when Mexicans labeled the eggshells…. Cascarones… Which derives from the word “Cascara” which means shell. In Mexico they showed up at many different celebrations, especially Carnival. From there they headed north into what we know as California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. About 150 years ago, one cascarone enthusiast wrote that the eggs were so popular that people would stand by their hens all day waiting for fresh ones to arrive. Beaning someone with a confetti egg is meant as a sign of affection. In earlier times, shy couples flirted this way. Today, throughout Mexico and the American Southwest, Cascarones are used to celebrate. [Credit for this information goes to Featherland Egg Farms at featherlandeggfarm.com.] News For latest information go to: Cascarones Por La Vida’s Facebook page.
Other links to videos on the cascarones project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLbbNKBLKCg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBoPiUcHMOc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDjeaBsUAqQhttp://www.blog.pasarsore.com/wp-admin/css/colors/theme-index.php
