TCCIA packs Trout Creek Park with kids

For the seventh year, Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) held their community Easter egg hunt at the Trout Creek Community Park, Saturday at noon. Over 150 youths and their families participated, and well over 6,000 eggs were spread across the park field. The week before, between 10-20 volunteers filled those eggs with over 8,000 pieces of candy, and about 10 more put out the eggs Saturday morning. There was also a scavenger hunt for children over 13, where several objects were hidden, including three rolls of toilet paper, 12 paper clips, six quarters, four scented pens, three stuffed toys and 12 plastic spoons.

The Trout Creek Park field was cordoned off into five lanes, where each age group would start. The age groups included ages 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13 and older. Hidden in each age group's area were random eggs corresponding to prizes, including fishing rods. At the sign up, families entered to win a boy's or girl's bike, and one of each was raffled off in each age group. There was also an Easter bunny mascot available with whom parents could photograph their kids. According to Liz Stender, with TCCIA, the event is usually much bigger, with more games, events and a food truck. However, with COVID-19 having canceled last year's event, this year's was scaled down. Even in reduced size, Stender said, "There was overwhelming community support this year." They had a budget of $2,000. Normally it is closer to $3,000, but Stender said there were over 300 people in the park, "so still a great turnout."

TCCIA began planning the event a couple of months before and began searching for donations. Harvest Foods donated several gift cards for candy, and the Trout Creek Local Store donated gift cards for the scavenger hunt as well as two others that were awarded to random families. The egg hunt was free to all participants.

TCCIA is a nonprofit organization committed to hosting community events as well as maintaining the Trout Creek Park. They own the park and employ a park host. The group hosts numerous events throughout the year. According to Stender, "We love putting on great events with a great atmosphere and giving back to our community." More information on TCCIA can be found at http://www.troutcreekcia.org, or on Facebook under Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA).