Published: Mar 30, 2018 12:00 AM
Despite patches of snow still on the ground and a chill in the air, the sun shone brightly on the many bundled-up children eager to take part in the annual Spring Egg Hunt hosted by Newtown Parks and Recreation, at Dickinson Park on March 24.
Before the egg hunt was underway, children lined up in anticipation to meet with the life-size Spring Bunny and pose for pictures with their new furry friend.
To the children's delight, another local celebrity attended the Spring Egg Hunt: Newtown native and 2018 Miss Connecticut Teen USA winner Elle Sauli. As she knelt to hand out toys to everyone, children smiled ear to ear and admired her sparkling crown.
Looking around at the crowd of children with baskets in hand waiting for the start of the egg hunt, Newtown Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Rose Ann Reggiano said that it appeared to be the biggest turnout for the event she had seen yet.
When Ms Reggiano gave the instructions for the Spring Egg Hunt to begin, children ages 5 and under went to collect eggs from the grassy area near the volleyball nets, while older children were asked to collect eggs in the baseball diamond's outfield.
Thousands of pastel-colored, plastic eggs were sprinkled across the park with candy, toys, and prizes inside. As the children quickly scampered through the grass, quick like bunnies, they gathered as many eggs as possible to toss in their baskets.
Within mere minutes, all the eggs were gone, and the Spring Egg Hunt had concluded. Friends and families then congregated at the pavilion to open up the eggs and discover what goodies were inside.
Thousands of plastic eggs were scattered throughout the grass at Dickinson Park for the Newtown Parks and Recreation's annual Spring Egg Hunt on March 24. (Bee Photo, Silber)
Alice Linley, 3, wore a bunny jacket complete with floppy ears and a cotton tail while she picked up eggs at Parks and Recreation's Spring Egg Hunt on March 24. (Bee Photo, Silber)
New friendships were made at the Spring Egg Hunt between Dominic Filpeck, 4, and Mckinley Herpel, 2, who played together at Dickinson Park on March 24. (Bee Photo, Silber)
Pictured from left are Kaitlyn Flynn and sisters Ava and Karoline Cash after the Spring Egg Hunt on March 24. When young Kaitlyn had a difficult time collecting eggs, Ava offered to share the eggs that she had found while helping her sister. (Bee Photo, Silber)
The Antal Family eagerly awaits the signal for the Spring Egg Hunt to start and stands before the many pastel-colored, plastic eggs in the grass. Pictured is Steve and Eliisa with their children, from left, Dylan, Jackson, and Evan. (Bee Photo, Silber)
Dressed from head to toe in unicorns and holding a unicorn basket, Lyla Carlson, 6, met 2018 Miss Connecticut Teen USA winner Elle Sauli at this year's Spring Egg Hunt. (Bee Photo, Silber)
Paul and Rebekah Thibodeau and their children Logan, 3, and Madison, 7, attended the Spring Egg Hunt at Dickinson Park on March 24. (Bee Photo, Silber)
At this year's Spring Egg Hunt at Dickinson Park, siblings James Clark, 3, and Adriana Clark, 6, met the Spring Bunny. (Bee Photo, Silber)
Jack Gilligan, 3½, smiles through the egg cardboard cutout as his mother Jenny Gilligan holds him up before the start of his first Spring Egg Hunt at Dickinson Park on March 24. (Bee Photo, Silber)
Before their first Spring Egg Hunt at Dickinson Park began, 4-year-olds Henry and JJ Helmin-Walker had fun peeking their faces through the decorative egg cardboard cutouts. (Bee Photo, Silber)
