Egg Hunt Brings Fun for Children and Adults

The City of Moorpark once again sponsored its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the fields of Arroyo Vista Park on Saturday. The event has become an annual rite in Moorpark, and for many, it’s a sure sign that spring has arrived.

This year’s extravaganza included a variety of childrens’ activities including crafts, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and a chance to have pictures taken with the Easter Bunny.

For many parents and children in Moorpark, the Easter Egg Hunt is considered a must attend event. With the warm weather, brightly colored plastic eggs scattered on a green field and the sounds of excited kids, it’s almost as if folks who gathered sensed they were celebrating a “Welcome Spring” event.

Raegina and her mother Gina have been coming to the Easter Egg Hunt for the last five years. Raegina worked on a small Easter basket decorated with a bright yellow chicken—or was that a duck? Whichever it was, she worked diligently to add her own decorations. They come to the event for many reasons, but there is a primary reason.

“The Easter egg hunt, of course, but mainly just to have some fun,” said Gina. “We really look forward to it.”

The event included a royal appearance by Ms. Teen Moorpark Meagan Bryan. Ms. Teen Moorpark is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarship funds for girls. Bryan wore her sash and tiara as she stood by a gate and helped kids line up for the Easter egg hunt. Part of her role as Ms. Teen Moorpark is to provide community service.

“I’m helping wherever they need,” she said.

At the pony rides, the horses, including a miniature pony, are small, but the kids are even smaller. So, compared to the little girl on a saddle, the pony she rode seemed downright gargantuan. Fortunately, the horses walked slowly in a circle as parents lined up to take pictures.

Next door were the farm animals. A small goat curiously nuzzled one of the children. The ducks and chickens were trying like mad to avoid being picked up. One duck looked as if it just escaped from an AFLAC commercial.

The event also included fun activities like face painting and a boardwalk of games with names like Bunnies in a Basket, Rabbit Row and Duck Pond. Bunnies and ducks were the theme of the day.

Still, it’s the Easter egg hunt that draws the biggest crowds. Jessica stood by the fence with her 3-year-old daughter, Madelin, as they waited for the hunt to start.

“Watching the joy on our childrens’ faces,” she said, was the reason the family came.

Even at this young age, or perhaps because of it, the sight of all those Easter eggs is exciting.

“I don’t even think she cares about the prizes,” said Jessica. “She just likes to pick up the eggs.”

Scott has come for the third time with his grandkids Hailey and Hannah. Like most family members who are milling around, he’s here because it’s fun for the kids.

“It’s just seeing how much they enjoy it,” he said. “I think anytime you can have kids run and pick things up, it’s fun.”

So there you have it. On a bright spring day in Moorpark, everyone seemed to agree there’s no better place to be. The economy, budget deficits, and any other troubling news took a back seat to what was going on here. For the moment, it was spring and childhood at it’s best and on Saturday, they were both on full display.