Mount Vernon Easter egg hunt: 4,800 eggs and touch-a-truck at Hiawatha Park

Children swarm Hiawatha Park for eggs, candy and prizes

Kids of all ages enjoyed finding eggs, taking an up-close
look at first responders’ vehicles and even got their photos taken with the Easter
Bunny on Saturday during the city’s Jerry & Joy Clinger Easter Egg Hunt at
Mount Vernon’s Hiawatha Park.

Mount Vernon Recreation Director Jeff Derr said that
approximately 4,800 eggs were hidden equally on the ball fields and lawns at Hiawatha
Park for the event. Children were divided into age groups – 0-2, 3-4, 5-7, 8-11
– with each group having its own pile of eggs to discover.

The event kicked off with a “Touch A Truck” event held by
the Mount Vernon Police and Fire departments. Children and adults could climb
inside the MVPD vehicles, as well as a fire truck. Police officers and firefighters
were on hand to explain what was inside the vehicles and also help the smaller
children get in and out of them.

After touring the trucks, the Easter bunny was there, greeting
everyone with their bubbly personality and posing for photos with youngsters
and their families.

Then came the big moment, when laughter and chaos erupted on
the fields, with the egg hunt. This year, Derr said, they went to a staggered time
frame for the egg hunt, starting with the younger ones and working their way up
to the oldest.

That, not only made for a smoother event, it allowed for
parents with children in different age groups to watch, or even help, all of
their children.

The eggs were filled with candy and tickets for some special
prizes donated by businesses and organizations, just for the event.