Tot Egg Hunt is over, more Easter egg hunts on the way

Children have been getting in the spirit of spring and the Easter holiday for the last couple of weeks, starting in the schools before break began on Monday.

The Gardnerville Elementary School Cougar leadership class made Easter cards for the seniors at the Douglas County Senior Center on March 28.

On March 30, first-graders at Scarselli Elementary School conducted an experiment where eggs were wrapped in various materials to see what would protect them from a fall.

Thursday, the annual Tot Egg Hunt sponsored by Northwest Martial Arts and the Sierra Nevada Active 20-30 Club, began right as scheduled at 11 a.m. About 300 children ages 5 and younger were divided into two groups. Three-year-olds and younger surrounded one lawn area at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, and 4-5-year-olds encircled a larger area.

Announcer Keris Meyers-Dahlkamp, Douglas County Parks & Recreation coordinator, asked that each child gather only six to eight eggs.

"Due to the amount of kids here today, we want to make sure all the kids leave here satisfied," he said.

With a countdown from 20, the wild rush began.

Cries of "I found an egg," could be heard all over the park, as the children rushed back to their parents with their baskets. In about two minutes all the eggs had been collected and children were eagerly opening them.

"I hit into 16 people. There was so many people," said Alex Bodenstein, 5, who lives in Chichester Estates.

Alex was there with his mother, Kimberly Bodenstein, and his little brother, Joshua, 21Ú2. Kimberly said that the egg hunt for the younger kids was "nice."

"I think it went slower than this one," she said.

"We had like 5,000 eggs, so they're gone in a couple of minutes," said Meyers-Dahlkamp, who was standing next to the Easter Bunny who had a long line of kids waiting to get their pictures taken with him.

As they returned to their cars pushing strollers and carrying baskets, one mom said to another, "I think eating jelly beans has to wait until we get home."

Next on the Easter egg weekend agenda is the annual Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club Easter egg hunt, at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lampe Park. And another Easter egg hunt will take place in Walker at the same time.

The Gardnerville Easter egg hunt features three age groups - 0-3 years, 4-6 years and 7-11-year-olds. Each egg group has a chance at prize eggs as well as a golden egg with a savings bond in it. The Easter Bunny will be there.

An Easter egg hunt will also take place at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Walker Community Park. This hunt, sponsored by the Antelope Valley Lions Club, will also divide children into age groups. Arrive early to sign up.

Happy hunting!