Egg hunts draw big crowds
Saturday's springlike wea-ther set a tranquil scene at Patriots Park, but that setting was quickly transformed into pandemonium as a park official blew an air horn.
Back
Elysia Rosado, 17 months, of Grovetown, puts her eggs into her bucket at Patriots Park.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Parents and children combed five fields, rushing to find a golden egg at the park's annual Easter egg hunt.
"It's hard work," Laurie Coward, of Grovetown, said about her first visit to the event with her son Jaylen Coward, 13 months. "I'm trying to get him to put the eggs in the basket."
Although Jaylen preferred picking up eggs and placing them back on the ground, his mother said they had a good time.
Stacie Adkins, the special events coordinator for Columbia County, said the egg hunt had a good turnout.
"We had about 1,000 people here today," she said, adding that this year's event featured a chick mascot and more prizes than in previous years. "Overall we're pleased with the way things went."
At another Easter egg hunt at Harlem City Park, about 400 children searched for 3,000 eggs.
In addition to the hunt, festivities included punch and cookies, games, face painting and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Emily Price, 8, of Harlem, plays with her hula hoop at Harlem's City Park during their second annual Easter egg hunt.
Photo by Quandra Collins
LaCristifa Smith, of Mar-tinez, said she at first had no intentions of visiting Harlem's event.
"We were going to go to the Easter egg hunt at Patriots Park, but when we got there it was too late," she said. "So, we heard about the (hunt) in Harlem and decided to come.''
Smith's son, Deizcha Smith, 5, won a large basket of goodies after picking up his last egg.
"Easter is my favorite month," he said with a smile.
Kathy Ham, the department head for the city's industry, trade and tourism department, called the turnout a success.
"We want it to grow each year," she said.
Jaylen Coward, 13 months, of Grovetown, picks up an egg while his mother, Laurie Coward, tries to assist him during the egg hunt. Patriots Park held its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Deizcha Smith, of Martinez, smiles after winning an Easter basket. Deizcha found a golden egg at the Harlem City Park on Saturday during the city's second annual Easter egg hunt.
Photo by Quandra Collins