Thousands gather at Tilles Park easter egg hunt

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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Dreary rainy weather didn’t stop Easter Egg hunters from coming to the annual Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt at Tilles Park early Saturday morning (April 23).

According to officials with Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 18,000 eggs were hid for the approximately 1,500 guests who came out despite the rainy weather.

When registration began at 10:30 a.m., a long line was waiting. Little ones eager to find those eggs formed a line that at times was a hundred kids long. The hunt was on at 11 am with four or five at a time going into the enclosed area to find that “lucky” egg.

Due to the rain and soggy ground, a smaller area had to be used for the egg hunt and enclosed with yellow tape. Two areas were set up, one for the smaller children and one for children 8 and older.

Volunteers said this was the first time that the egg hunt had been rained on. They had seen freezing weather to very hot and humid conditions and this was the first year for it to rain. Nevertheless, it was a success.

The annual event was sponsored by the Mayor’s office, ARC, and Grand Avenue Baptist Church. This is a community service event and was the sixth year Grand Avenue Baptist Church has helped in the event.

Children from ages of walking to 12 years and those with handicaps were allowed to hunt the eggs. Each child was given an egg carton and allowed to find a dozen eggs. The smaller children were helped by volunteers.

All eggs contained a goody whether it was candy, gum or those with special coins inside. The special coins could be traded in for a prize. The children could also trade in their plastic eggs for a special prize. The eggs will be recycled and used again next year.

Face painting, balloon hats, games, hot dogs and drinks were free to everyone who came out. 2,000 hot dogs were grilled and served with chips and a drink. Music was provided by DJ Service owned by Marc Sparks.