BLUEFIELD, Va. — Click here for video
The Easter Bunny visited Graham Recreational Park via helicopter Saturday afternoon, bringing eggs full of candy and toys to hundreds of eager children.
Organized by the Crosspointe Community Fellowship Church in Bluefield, Va., the second annual egg drop brought out youngsters and their families for free food, activities and egg hunting.
Children from infants through sixth grade students picked through the wet grass and mud to retrieve eggs that had been dropped from the helicopter. Some eggs attached to parachutes had special prizes inside for hunters.
Charity Cook, event coordinator and a Crosspointe member, said around 4,000 people came out to last year's event and the church was hoping for similar numbers this year, despite rainy weather early in the morning.
"The weather has made many people come in slowly," Cook said. "We just want all the families to come out and have a good time."
In addition to the egg drop, Cook said families could participate in events such as face painting, a puppet show, making balloon animals, free food and giveaways for TVs, video game systems, gas cards and bicycles.
"We wanted to give people an event that is safe to come to and fun for their kids," Cook said. "We want them to see people still care."
Marchell Taylor, 31, of Tazewell, Va., came out to the hunt with her 4-year-old son, niece and two nephews. Taylor said the children enjoyed the games set up to entertain the crowd before the egg drop.
"We just wanted to do something and have fun," Taylor said. "The kids have been really excited about the egg drop and getting their faces painted. They like to hunt eggs, have fun and just spend time with other kids their age. I like watching them have fun."
Devan Morris, 26, of Bluefield, Va., came to the park with his wife and 7-year-old son.
"We heard about this from the schools and through the newspaper," Morris said. "It's fun, safe and free. It's good for the community to have something like this to do. It's something for them to do rather than sit in front of the TV."
Morris said his son had been asking about the egg drop since he woke up Saturday morning.
"He is really looking forward to the egg drop," Morris said. "He won't be quiet about it. He keeps asking me 'Dad, when are they going to drop the eggs.' What I'm looking forward to is seeing him get the eggs. And the free hot dog."
Cathy Cook of Bluefield, Va., brought her 11-year-old grandniece to see friends and take part in the day's festivities.
"We get to socialize with people we know and don't usually get to see," Cook said. "It gives the teenagers and kids something to do to keep them out of trouble. They get to spend time with their friends from school. She has seen several of her teachers here as well. We want to see the kids get the eggs. We really appreciate them doing this."
Mike Asbury of Bluefield, Va., said the day provided good, safe entertainment for children.
"We brought the kids out to let them enjoy the day," Asbury said. "They really wanted to see the helicopter. They're at the playground right now and have been having fun down there. It's an excellent thing to do. It gives the community something they can look forward to. I'm looking forward to watching the kids go after all those eggs. It's really comical to watch them trying to get to the eggs."
Christine Hypes, 51, of Boissevain, Va., brought her 11-year-old grandson to hunt eggs.
"I love this; it's a great event," Hypes said. "We were here last year, and I think the shuttle buses are a great improvement since it was hard to find a parking space last year. This is a great event because it's all about the kids. My grandson wanted to come to hunt eggs and enter to win the TV. The food is really good and I like to walk around and watch the kids have fun. The children around here don't have much to do, so this gives them a little hope and a little fun."
— Contact Kate Coil at kcoil@bdtonline.com
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