Easter Bunny keeps kids hoppin'

Volunteers at the Jacks Valley Fire Station were lending the Easter Bunny a hand early Saturday, boiling and dying almost 2,500 eggs for today's Easter egg hunt at Jacks Valley Elementary School.

About 150 eager egg-hunters from northern Douglas County and the Johnson Lane area are expected for this event which starts at 1:30 p.m. and includes a number of special guest appearances.

"The Easter Bunny will be helicoptered in by Care Flight and Smokey Bear will be coming by fire truck," said Lon Bartoli, fireman for the Jacks Valley Volunteer Fire Deptartment. "A fire dog will be on hand and we're bringing a burn (safety) trailer."

The children are segregated according to age and rumor has it, the Easter Bunny hides eggs in the sagebrush as well as the lawn. Golden eggs, which can be redeemed for a special prize, will be scattered among the others.

(Golden eggs historically have been larger-sized eggs because volunteers use goose eggs, but this year the geese weren't laying.)

The kids can get their pictures taken with a fireman, the Easter Bunny, Smokey the Bear or any combination thereof. The fire department is asking for a small donation for these pictures, the money used to help finance next year's event.

Each child should be accompanied by a parent for this free event, sponsored and coordinated by the Jacks Valley Volunteer Fire Department.

Other area egg hunts include:

-- Carson City Jaycees' 26th annual Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. for children with special needs; 1 p.m. for the general public at Governor's Field, South Roop Street. Call 851-3060.

-- Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club hosts annual Easter Egg Hunt, 1 p.m. at Lampe Park.

-- Genoa Egg Hunt, 1 p.m. at the Genoa Town Park. Bring two dozen plastic-filled eggs per child to the gazebo by noon.

-- Jacks Valley firefighters host a Easter Egg Hunt, 1:30 p.m. at Jacks Valley Elementary School.

-- Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department hosts an Easter egg hunt, bake sale and raffle at noon at the south end of Washoe Lake State Park; free admission. Call 849-4922.

-- Greenhouse Garden Center's annual Easter Egg Hunt for Gardeners at 10 a.m. under the blue-and-white awning. Call 882-8600.