They came by the hundreds, armed with baskets to collect the eggs scattered throughout.
According to Diana Stirling, owner of LocoLanding Adventure Park, which hosted the annual Easter Fun Day Monday in support of the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre, this was the best turnout in the event’s nine-year history.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable, fantastic,” said Stirling as she watched the registration line up continue to grow well after the fun began at 11 a.m. with the arrival of the Easter Bunny aboard a Penticton Fire Department truck. “I think we’re probably going to be seeing 1,500 people here today.”
The attendance was so unexpected that just 20 minutes in she was already trying to find another 5,000 plastic eggs somewhere in the city, on top of the 10,000 eggs she already had, to carry through until the 1 p.m. finish.
In addition to the small field adjacent to LocoLanding, there was also a hunt at the SS Sicamous.
Along with the hunts, there were also a number of special events set up including face painting, making rabbit ears and games including a bean bag toss and a (hard boiled) egg balancing on a spoon course.
While the final figures were still being tabulated it’s expected the money raised from the $5 admission charge, as well as the funds from the park’s attractions, will also be a near-record amount.
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All of which monies go to the OSNS efforts to help kids.
“We help children of all levels, mostly young children who are struggling with, speech, motor skills also have daycare and preschool our centre is really the hub of child development,” said Meg Dimma, OSNS community engagement co-ordinator. “But I believe one of the most important aspects of this event is that it’s important for every family and every child.”
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Stirling also had praise for the many local businesses that stepped up to the plate to help out in one way or another as well as the record number of youth volunteers, 75, that helped in preparation for and on the day of the event.
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Mark Brett | Reporter
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