The Chappapeela Sports Park hosted an Easter oriented event to bring the community’s children together for a day by including festival-like attractions, activities and candy.

On Saturday, Apr. 15, the fourth annual Easter Eggstravaganza was held. With the promise of 10,000 eggs to be captured during an egg hunt, having the guest of honor, the Easter bunny, was just one perk of the day for children and parents.

Denise Freeman and Adalyn Adams of Sun, Louisiana visited the Chappapeela’s Easter Eggstravaganza for the first time. Freeman, grandmother of Adams, appreciated the effort that went into coordinating the event.

“It was all very nice and very organized,” said Freeman. “It lets them get involved with the community.”

Following the egg hunt, seven-year-old Adams who attends Franklinton Elementary School, was delighted about the surprise in tow for her shouting: “They had candy in the eggs!”

A sack race, a mini roller coaster, a bounce house and face painting were all included in the celebration.

Executive Director of the Chappapeela Sports Park Ryan J. Barker presided over the event for the second year. He admitted that one of the goals of the event was to include more attractions.

A decision was made by Barker to combine all of the egg hunts despite age groups after the start of the event. Barker also admitted that he nor the sports park crew expected the attendance levels of the eggstravaganza to peak.

“We were not prepared at the registration table for the mad rush of 50 to 60 people at a time,” said Barker. “Next year we’ll have more people at the registration table.”

Carlos Cage of Hammond returned to bring his godchildren to the eggstravaganza for the second time. He believed that the event was targeted towards family orientation.

“It was awesome,” said Cage. “It was a real nice event. There was a nice day planned, so we decided to come again this year. I think it’s important because it gives them family oriented time to be with family during a calm event where they can have fun and enjoy themselves.”

9,345 children and 16 schools received flyers about the event. Barker revealed that the goal of the Easter Eggstravaganza and Chappapeela Sports Park is to host events and make use of a facility to benefit the community’s youth.

Barker says, “I stated when I started working at Chappapeela that I would be about the kids first, then the park, then the community. It’s great to give something free back to the children in the community and the tax payers. It’s also great to celebrate Christ in the spirit of the Easter season.”