Pleasanton egg hunt cold but creates memories for families

The Easter Bunny hugs one of his fans for a photo opportunity.

Story and photos by Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

Dozens of children, their parents and grandparents braved a cold, cloudy and breezy winter-like day on Saturday, March 23, to celebrate a spring tradition, the Pleasanton Easter Egg Hunt. Sponsored by the city of Pleasanton, the event offered prizes that ranged from candy shot from two propane-powered cannons to gift baskets and bicycles.

Miranda Brown helps her daughter Bristol as she hunts for eggs in the 4-and-younger division.

As families arrived at the Pleasanton Senior/Junior High School football field, they were greeted by the Easter Bunny. Many children ran up to the familiar figure for a hug, staying for a photo opportunity for parents and grandparents.

One of two candy cannons blasts its sweet ammunition to start one of the heats.

With Pleasanton Mayor Mathew Young and Pleasanton school district Superintendent Don Epps as co-emcees of the event, the hunt was run in four groups, 4 years and younger, 5- to 6-year olds, 7- to 10-year-olds, and older children and adults – a heat dubbed the “outlaw” group by Epps.

Pleasanton Police Chief Tristan Snider and City Council Member Kim Herring throw out a new batch of plastic eggs before the next heat.

While some braved the cold in lighter jackets, others donned winter gear, including one family sporting knitted multi-color face-warmers. But as the cannons fired sweet treats in the air, the cold was forgotten as children, often with help from their parents, harvested candy and plastic eggs that often had numbers for items at the prize table.

Raley,10, and her brother, 6-year-old Bentley, both found eggs that won bicycles.

Because of the staggered heats, the event ran longer than if it had been simultaneous scrambles. However, still mindful of the cold, families nonetheless walked back to their vehicles happy with celebrating the annual spring rite.

More photos from the event: