Based on what I witnessed this past weekend during the annual Eggstravaganza – as well as over the past many years of attending the event – is that the answer to that question is “about 25 seconds.”
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly local youngsters snap up all of those Easter eggs. It’s utter madness, and they seem to love every (brief) second of it.
For those of you who have never attended the Eggstravaganza, let me try to explain what you’re missing out on.
The event takes place at Golden Eagle Park, where hundreds of families line up around the grass of three separate ball fields. Those folks listen to classic Disney tunes over the sound system while Senator John Kavanagh lets everyone know how much time remains before the big event. On the fields are literally thousands upon thousands of Easter eggs just waiting to be collected.
When 9 a.m. finally rolls around, Kavanagh leads the crowd in a final countdown, which ends with the sound of a firetruck siren going off.
What follows is less than half a minute of chaos as all of those eggs are swept up from the fields and deposited into countless Easter baskets. No, seriously, I timed it a couple of years ago. It’s over in just a matter of moments and then each family finds their own spot to lounge in the grass and start going through the goodies they’ve collected.
But anyone who is involved in putting on the Eggstravaganza (or any number of the similar community events here in town) knows that my estimate of 25 seconds is an extreme understatement, as it takes a heck of a lot longer to make a lasting memory like that.
For starters, the egg hunt is only the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the morning of fun-filled events. Thanks to various organizations and clubs from around town, visiting families have a lot to look forward to, including a pancake breakfast, bouncy houses, cookie decorating, balloons, bubbles, pictures with Hoppy Bunny and Peeps the Chicken, etc.
And that doesn’t even begin to include the amount of time that has to go into planning the event, making sure everyone gets organized and pulling the whole thing off without a hitch.
Honestly, I feel genuine sympathy for whoever prepares all of those eggs. I can’t imagine how long it takes to fill that many plastic eggs with candy and trinkets, and then they have to be spaced out over the surface of three fields. After all of that work, they disappear in the blink of an eye as an army of kiddos pick the grass clean.
The Eggstravaganza is one of the most difficult events I photograph each year. Half a minute to get a few decent shots is tricky on its own, but those kids are hopped up on pancakes and cookies and move at the speed of sound. I can’t say it isn’t a fun challenge, though.
So to everyone who made the Eggstravaganza possible again this year, thanks for all of your hard work. I’m sure the community appreciates it, especially those kids who now have some fond memories to tide them over until next year.
