Eggstravaganza 'a delight'

More than 20 volunteers helped stuff over 7,000 plastic eggs with candy and golden eggs filled with a dollar bill the week before the 10th annual Trout Creek Easter Eggstravaganza. Then last Saturday, 232 kids in five age groups were sent running to gather as many eggs as their colorful baskets would let them carry. The first age group of kids up to age 2 years old went first in their own little hunt, the other four groups all went at once.

"It is a delight to watch all the kids in their Easter best, with their little tutus and suits running around gathering eggs," said Debb McNary, vice president of the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association, which sponsors the event at the Trout Creek Park.

But the real prize was the 10 bikes the TCCIA was giving away, one bike for a girl and one for a boy in each of the five age groups. McNary stated that when the kids were registered they would get a numbered poker chip and it was placed in a bowl and quickly after the hunt chips were chosen for the winners of the bikes. There were also 26 fishing poles given away along with several donated toys.

McNary said there were all new kids this year who won the bikes. For the age 0-2 group, Hawkins Hannawalt and Jennissee Mihan won tricycles, and Enzo Pardee and Adeline Potts won in the age 3-5 group. For the 6-8 group, Bella Meagher and Kayson Smith won the bikes, Luke Heintz and Ettalynn Camron got fancy new bikes in the age 9-12 group, and lastly Paul Christner and Matea Keefe won in the 13 and over group.

Five-year-old Carson Stark said his favorite part of the hunt was "Picking up the eggs! I got 100 of them!"

Grandparents and parents far and wide could be seen with littles. Lily Helveston, age 2, came with her grandparents, who are from Trout Creek. They bring their grandkids to the egg hunt every year.

McNary said after the kids opened and got the candy and money out of the eggs, TCCIA collected the eggs in bins. They reuse the eggs that are in good condition for the next egg hunt.

After the hunt the Easter Bunny was available for photos with families. "We were so happy with the turnout. Even the Easter Bunny got more traction this year." McNary stated.