What’s better than an Easter egg hunt?
A free one that is led by Peter Cottontail with chances to hunt golden prize eggs.
Those golden prize eggs can be exchanged for “special gift baskets full of fun,” according to City of Odessa Recreation and Special Events Coordinators Christopher Hallmark and Cori Branscum.
The Easter egg hunt has become an annual tradition in Odessa with 1,000 to 2,000 attendees each year. Spearheaded, as always, by the City of Odessa, the event is also sponsored by Neighbors Emergency Center.
While the younger kiddos may be running to the eggs with baskets in hand – the day starts off with a different type of run.
The Bunny Hop 5K Run is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the UTPB Park near the soccer fields. The run is through the park and the trails of the UTPB campus.
Hallmark and Branscum, via email, said the 5K is free for children 15 and under and $10 for adults. “We have people from all ages that will be participating from parents with strollers, walkers and joggers,” the email read.
The pair said all ages are not only welcome, but also encouraged to get some healthy and fun activities done during this Easter weekend.
The free Easter egg hunt begins at 11 a.m. sharp. And for anyone who has never witnessed a couple thousand basket-wielding kids running for the loot – well, don’t be late.
The Easter Spring Fling is free and there is a chance for more than 30,000 items during the egg hunt. After the egg hunt is over there’s still more fun to be had. There will be food, arts and crafts and games and jumpers, as well as a chance to snap a cute Easter photo with Peter Cottontail himself.
The event is more than just filling up Easter baskets, according to the city’s website, it’s also a chance to celebrate Easter a day early while enjoying the company of other Odessans.
“There are opportunities for kids all over the city to have a chance at an egg hunt, but the Easter Spring Fling presented by City of Odessa Parks & Recreation and Neighbors Emergency Center is unlike those events. You not only have a chance at collecting a handful of the over 30,000 items, but you have an arts & crafts area, games, jumpers, and more! The best part is, participation is free,” organizers said.
!
