Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Since 1947, the Ukiah Host Lions Club has organized and held an Easter Egg Hunt for local children. The Club prepares hundreds of dozens of eggs, hard-boiling and coloring them, before hiding them in Anton Stadium for hundreds of eager children to find.
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt really starts on Friday when a group of Lions picks up the chocolate bunnies and the eggs generously donated by Raley's in Ukiah.
Then on Saturday, more Lions gather at Pleasant View Dairy to cook, and then dye and color the eggs blue, green, red and yellow in preparation for Sunday's activity.
Pictured above, right, the eggs and bunnies have arrived at Anton Stadium on Easter Sunday and are being unloaded from the truck by Lions Bob, Beau, Dan, Mike, Rod, Bob and Chuck.
After the chocolate bunnies are safe in the trailer, bins containing the 400 dozen colored eggs (pictured above, left) are stacked and readied for the hunt. Lion Chuck gives directions on how many eggs to distribute on the fields and the Lions fan out.
Next, bin-by-bin, the eggs are carefully spread across the fields at Anton Stadium.
The Hunt is organized by separating the kids by age. Each age group has an area of the field set aside for hunting eggs: 2, 3 and 4 year olds are on the soccer fields, 5 and 6 year olds are on the little league field and 7-10 year olds are in Anton's main baseball field.
Lion Mike and Lion Tom are having a good time spreading eggs across the little league field, right. Left, Mike performs his egg dance. Click on the picture to see the larger version.
In addition to the fun of hunting for eggs, there is an additional treat waiting for the children who find special "Prize Eggs": One of the chocolate bunnies. Each year a batch of the prize eggs are colored and decorated separately from the others.
After the regular eggs are hidden in the field, Lion Chuck brings out the prize eggs. Pictured on the right, above, Lion Rick and Lion Chuck check the prize eggs before handing them to the Lions to be carefully hidden among the regular eggs.
The Easter Bunny takes time out of the busy schedule to make an appearance every year, much to the delight of the kids and parents alike. And with the prize eggs distributed, the hunt is ready to get started.
Families began arriving and children lined up for the dash.
Anticipation begins to build and anxiety levels rise as parents give their children last-minute suggestions on egg-hunting.
Click on any of the small pictures above and below to view the larger version of the photo.
When the horn sounds, the hunt begins. Like a wave, children run across the fields grabbing up eggs and shoving them into their baskets. On the right, a three year old finds a really good blue egg. Now to put it in the bask... Whoops! Mom, remember to hold the basket steady!
As quickly as it starts, the hunt is over even faster. With baskets full, a big crowd of parents and kids gathers around the Lions trailer to exchange one of the prize eggs for a yummy chocolate bunny.
Lions Mike, Steve and Dave are busy collecting prize eggs and handing out bunnies as fast as they can, pictured on the left.
A final "Thank you" to Raleys for supporting the Club and the community with their donation of hundreds of dozens of eggs every year!
View more pictures in our Easter Egg Hunt Photo Gallery.