2008 Easter Egg Hunt
Easter came early this year on March 23 and Mother Nature provided a beautiful and sunny Spring day for egg-hunting festivities!
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt really started on Friday when several Lions picked up the chocolate bunnies and the eggs generously donated by Raley's in Ukiah.
On Saturday a group of Lions gathered at Pleasant View Dairy to 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 as Lion Chuck gives directions on how many eggs to distribute on the fields.
Next, bin-by-bin, the eggs are 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 made an appearance, much to the delight of the kids and parents alike. And with the prize eggs distributed, the hunt was about to get started.
Families began arriving and children lined up for the dash.
Anticipation began to build and anxiety levels rose as parents gave their children last-minute suggestions.
Click on any of the small pictures above and below to view the larger version of the photo.
Then, the horn sounded and the hunt began. Like a wave, children ran across the fields grabbing 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, hold the basket steady!
But as quickly as it starts, it's 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 once again supporting the Club and the community with their donation of 400 dozen eggs!