They swarmed the fields behind El Portal Middle School, hundreds of youngsters in search of thousands of eggs.
And it was over in a hurry.
The Escalon Kiwanis Club, in cooperation with its youth Key Club organization and the Escalon FFA, put on the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the middle school on First Street on Saturday morning. Hunters were divided up into age groups and were sent out to specific areas of the grounds to collect the brightly colored plastic eggs. Most were filled with a variety of candy; specially designated eggs were redeemable for Easter baskets.
There were 250 goody bags, 1800 candy-filled plastic eggs and 140 prize gift baskets, organizers said of the huge event.
“I can’t believe the turnout,” said Kiwanis Club member Pam Dyer, noting it was the largest group of Easter egg hunters she could ever remember.
Marion Harrison of the Kiwanis Club also pointed to the generous donations from FFA and Key Club, which conducted drives to collect the festive Easter baskets, which were in turn given out as prizes.
The weather was a little cool and breezy but the sun was shining brightly overhead, as the gathered youngsters anxiously awaited the signal to ‘go.’ Most of the older kids headed out to find the eggs on their own, perhaps with a parent close by to get a photo, while many of the youngest hunters had a little help from parents or siblings to find the hidden eggs.
Kiwanis Club members also hosted a busy snack table, serving up coffee and juice, cookies and pastries once the hunting was complete.
