It’s time to dust off those Easter baskets and get ready for the fun-filled flurry of Plant City’s city-wide egg hunt, which will take place Saturday, April 4.
“It definitely has a longstanding history with the city and with our department, as well as the Optimist Club,” Tim Hanlon, assistant program manager for the Recreation and Parks Department, said.
This will be the 26th year that the City of Plant City has organized the event.
The event starts at 10 a.m. with a show by magician and balloon artist Luis Campaneria of A-1 Magic. Then children will split into four age groups to hunt for eggs containing candy and coupons for local businesses. There will be 2,500 eggs hidden for each age group. Children are asked to bring their own baskets or bags for collecting the eggs.
“It’s a free event, a fun event for the family. And then the other activities that follow, people enjoying participating in those,” Hanlon said.
After the egg hunt, each child will get a free hotdog and drink from sponsors Toufayan Bakeries and the Plant City Optimist Club.
There will also be bounce houses, air brushing and trackless train rides, each for $1. Photos with the Easter Bunny are $5 each. The event will close at 12:30 p.m.
For the first time, the citywide egg hunt has a presenting sponsor: Global Sports Alliance, a travel baseball organization that hosts youth tournaments in Central Florida.
“They’re very involved here in bringing lots of teens here for tournaments, and that’s just one way to give back to the community,” Hanlon said.
The egg hunt event will be at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2402 East Cherry Street, Plant City. For more information, contact Hanlon at thanlon@plantcitygov.com.
OTHER EASTER EVENTS
Some of Plant City’s local churches and organizations also will be offering special events for children this Easter.
Ninth Annual Egg Drop Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Egg hunts occur between 12 and 12:30 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church, South Campus, 3309 James L. Redman Parkway
Details: After a helicopter drops eggs into the fields, children will hunt for them by age group. There will also be free food, balloons, crafts and games. The event is free, but preregistration is required at secure.siteorganic.com/f/?k=66LCCWALC7NHCYNK.
Contact: (813) 752-4104
The Great Egg Safari
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 28
Where: Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 CR 39 S.
Details: In addition to the “wild” egg hunt, there will be food, games, crafts and puppets.
Contact: (813) 737-3053
Hope’s Easter Eggstravaganza
When: Sunday, April 5
Where: Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Park Road
Details: Between the sunrise service and the late morning service, the church will offer breakfast and story time for children and their families. An outdoor egg hunt will follow. Everyone is welcome at this event, and church members often invite guests.
Contact: (813) 752-4622
Cynergy’s Easter Eggstravaganza
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4
Where: The Cynergy Church, 600 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Details: There will be Easter baskets, toys, food, iPod and tv giveaways, bill pay, free cotton candy and snow cones, bounce house, and an egg hunt with cash prizes.
Contact: (813) 708-2783
Easter Egg Hunt
When: 11 a.m. Sunday, March 29
Where: Antioch Park, 8510 Franklin Road.
Details: There will be inflatables, face painting, candy and a cookout.
Contact: AntiochRedskins.org
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.