STORY and PHOTOS by Tam Nguyen, Nguoi Viet
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. ― The sun was bright, the flowers in bloom. Colorful eggs decorated the field, awaiting a throng of eager youngsters.
The annual egg hunt had arrived.
On Saturday, the Fountain Valley Recreation Center was filled with the holiday spirit, kicked off by the annual pancake breakfast. The children ate as fast as they could to line up for their chance to pick up the colorful plastic eggs on the grass, just as their parents stood ready to capture the moment on video or snap some photos.
Children and their parents hunt for Easter eggs at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center.
The children entered the field to gather eggs, told they could keep just five to make sure there were plenty for everyone. It made for some tough choices for children who had quickly grabbed as many as they saw.
Jacob, 5, of Fountain Valley, knew which he would hold on to. “I want to keep the red ones because it’s my favorite color,” he said.
It wasn’t as scientific for each of the children. “I want to keep all of them,” said a weeping boy who had to return more than half of his eggs to the grass.
There was more to keep the youngsters occupied than the egg hunt. Carnival games, bounce houses, face painting and a chance to take a photo with the Easter Bunny also drew families to the rec center on Saturday. Plus, for taking part in the games, children received raffle tickets with a chance to win an Easter basket full of goodies. Twenty lucky winners went home with the grand prize.
Children play carnival games for the chance to win an Easter basket full of goodies.
The Fountain Valley Kiwanis Club made the annual event possible and has supported the youth of the community since 1966. Proceeds from the pancake breakfast and the Easter Bunny photos benefit the Kiwanis Scholarship Foundation and high school Kiwanis youth clubs.
It was a memorable time for the families ― even if they all didn’t get a chance to take a picture with the Easter Bunny.
The Easter Bunny awaits the next child who wants to pose for a photo.
“My favorite thing about Easter is the Easter Bunny because he gives more candy than Santa Claus,” said 6-year-old James as he waited for his photo.
“I don’t want to sit with the bunny,” said one terrified child as he jumped off the bunny’s lap.
