By Flashlight Or Sunlight, Children Invited To Join Parks & Rec Egg Hunts

With 5,000 plastic eggs awaiting discovery, Assistant Director of Recreation RoseAnn Reggiano is planning ahead for Easter.

On the calendar for Friday, March 26, and Saturday, March 27, are an evening flashlight egg hunt and a morning egg hunt, respectively.

Friday night’s event at Dickinson Park is for ages 9 and older; younger children are invited for Saturday’s event. Despite a start time of 8 pm on Friday, Ms Reggiano knows from past events that the daylight may not have completely faded by that hour. Children eager to fill their baskets will have to wait until “it is completely dark,” she warned.

With eggs strewn across the space between the volleyball court and a nearby fence, she said, “We wait until it is really dark, then vroom! All the eggs are gone! I love that one.” Designed for ages 9 and older, she said adults “can get out there too now.”

The following morning from 10 to about 11, the day will hopefully be awash with early spring warmth. Determined to run her hunt rain or shine, Ms Reggiano beckons the younger children from ages 3 to 8 to collect eggs. Year after year they line up waiting with parents and are often dressed in bonnets or carrying plush toy Easter baskets.

“If it’s a beautiful day, we’ll get more than 200 people,” Ms Reggiano said, adding, “The eggs are usually scooped up within two minutes.”

New this year are plywood painted cutouts resembling “a big egg and a big basket.” Children can place their faces in holes cut in the egg and basket and their parents can photograph them, Ms Reggiano said.

Two spring bunnies will greet children this year.

Registration is required for the free event to help the Parks and Recreation Department determine how many people will join the hunts. Visit www.Newtown-CT.gov and look for the recreation department’s page or call 203-270-4373.