CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Five hundred people and 10,000 Easter eggs added up to a great time on Saturday in Clearlake’s Austin Park on Saturday.
The crowd was there for the annual First Assembly of God Community Easter Egg Hunt.
No one seems to know how many years the hunt has been held.
“This is the sixth one I’ve done,” said Assembly of God Pastor Steve Snyder, but the event was an annual fixture in the Clearlake community well before Snyder became involved with it.
Members of the First Assembly of God Church remember it going back to at least 10 years.
No matter. The hunt has served a vital purpose.
“We do it for a lot of kids (whose parents) don’t have the money for treats,” said Snyder. “Some of the families don’t have anything. That’s why we’re here.”
The hunt breaks down into age groups, such as 0-4 and 5-7.
But it is far more than just an Easter egg hunt.
“We have ticket drawings for Easter baskets and some for bikes,” said Snyder. “There is face painting (done by the youth group of the church) and games they play.”
About 60 youths help out in various ways.
Although the estimated 500 in attendance seemed to be a substantial crowd, Snyder said the event has drawn 800 to 900 in years past.
There are more Easter egg hunts scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The Lakeport Rotary Club will host its 89th annual Easter egg hunt at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., with gates opening at 1:15 p.m. and the hunt beginning at 1:30 p.m. There will be three age groups for children ages birth to 12 years.
Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St., also will host its annual Easter egg hunt, beginning at 11:30 a.m. All children up to 12 years of age are welcome.
Both the Lakeport and Kelseyville hunts take place, rain or shine.
Email John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .