In a matter of moments, it was over.
Hundreds of children spread across Kunkel Park on Saturday morning, baskets in hand, waiting for the signal. Then, just as quickly as it began, thousands of brightly colored eggs scattered across the grass disappeared as kids dashed, scooped, and filled their baskets.
The annual Easter egg hunt, organized by Pennington Parks and Recreation, drew families from across the community for a spring tradition that blends a little chaos with a lot of joy.
To give everyone a fair shot, children were grouped by age, each wave turning into a brief burst of energy before the eggs were cleared from the field almost instantly.
Afterward, kids lined up to trade in their eggs for candy — about 75 pounds in total — while families lingered to enjoy the warm weather and time together over Easter weekend.
Mayor Jim Davy welcomed attendees and helped kick off the morning, which also included visits and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny.
More than just a quick dash for candy, the event offered a chance for neighbors to reconnect, with children playing, parents catching up, and the park filling with the kind of energy that signals the arrival of spring in Hopewell Valley.
