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Hundreds turned out for Oakland’s annual Easter egg hunt, toting baskets, buckets and bags, children lined up along the perimeter of three age designated areas waiting for the go-ahead to swarm the field.
Bob Fabrizio, head of the Public Events Committee, set one “hare-triggered” group on to their section early with a “Go, go, go…” actually directed at some tardy attendees. But the other groups held steady at the gate till the official start was announced, and in a blur the egg strewn fields were hidden by young hunters racing about.
The Public Events Committee organizes some of Oakland’s best traditions, and it’s about much more than planing an event…it’s about creating memories. Under a sunny blue sky, on a crisp Saturday morning, residents came out for a main event that by its nature is always over too fast.
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After the hunt, kids waited on line for a photo-op with the Easter Bunny and examined the goods inside their captured eggs. Off to the side, under an outdoor tent, volunteers were dispensing, juice, donuts and steaming hot coffee to help folks kick start the rest of their day.
Interesting Fact: The egg has always been a symbol birth in pagan celebrations of spring, and Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by history and symbolism. It’s interesting that the word Easter presumably originates with the pagan goddess Eostre who was celebrated in the month of April.
It is always such a fun event!