Published: March 17, 2008 08:38 am      

Ready, set, hunt

Annual Easter Eggstravaganza set for Saturday

Four thousand colorful, plastic eggs will be hidden and ready to be found by children Saturday during the annual Easter Eggstravaganza at Irvine McDowell Park in Richmond.

The Richmond Parks and Recreation Department-sponsored event, which attracts about 2,000 people, will feature three egg hunts — children age 4 and younger at 11:30 a.m., ages 5-7 at noon and ages 8-10 at 12:30 p.m.

“The kids come in and they are ready to go,” said Erin Moore, program coordinator for Richmond Parks and Recreation Department. “They can’t wait to get into the ball field so they can hunt for eggs. They’re anxious and ready for us to scream, ‘Go.’ They have a great time.”

“The event is packed,” she said. “We have three egg hunt times and each one of those is jam packed with kids. Not every kid participates in the egg hunt. Some just come for all the activities, the games, the petting zoo and the inflatables.”

Other attractions include Richard McHargue Cloggers, Curra Magic, featuring balloon art, Warren the Wizard, train rides provided by Mini Train Express Co., Cambo the Clown, a petting zoo with $3 pony rides, games, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

As a service learning project, Dr. Jon McChesney’s Special Events Planning class at Eastern Kentucky University will assist at the holiday event, which has been conducted for about 25 years.

Richmond residents also can take part in the 2008 Bunny Express.

For $10, the Easter Bunny, accompanied by a Richmond police officer, will deliver a surprise from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday to a child’s home. The cost is $5 for each additional child within the household.

“It’s great to see the Easter Bunny knock on a kid’s door,” Moore said. “Their eyes get all bright. They get a stuffed animal. It’s fun to be a part of.”

The deadline to register for the Bunny Express is 4 p.m. Wednesday.

For more information, call the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department at 623-8753.

Bryan Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@richmondregister.com or 624-6691.