Tots kick off Easter egg hunts

Hundreds of tots decked out in cold-weather clothes stampeded the grassy fields of Lampe Park on Thursday, pouncing on widespread clutches of colorful, candy-laden Easter eggs.

It was Douglas County Parks & Recreation's annual Easter egg hunt, and this year, the stormy weather was no deterrent.

"I love that the county does this," said Gardnerville parent Tammy Hurson. "It's so great that everyone gets to come out. It's for the kids."

Hurson was waiting with her two children, Robert, 4, and Lauren, 8, for the 4-5-year-old hunt. They were standing near the yellow tape perimeter beyond which lay the bounty of multicolored plastic eggs.

Robert stood with basket in hand, eagerly awaiting the countdown.

"I want to get the eggs," he said. "The candy."

Big sister Lauren, who had participated in the event in past years, was too old this time around, the age limit being 5.

"I'm sad," she said. "I wanted to hunt."

Further down the line, Gardnerville residents Shannon Montana and Trevor Eddings were waiting with 4-year-old Sarah Beth Eddings.

"The park and rec department does a great job," said Montana. "We're so grateful for everything they do."

"This is our third year," said Eddings. "Next year, we'll kind of be maxed out."

Eddings said last year, Sarah Beth was a little frightened by the Easter Bunny.

"I think we're ready this year," he said.

Sarah Beth, readying herself for the rush, had a plan. She was going after the prettiest eggs.

"I love jelly beans," she said.

Across the way, at the 3-year-old hunt, the tension was building. Three, two, one! Shouts and squeals pierced the air as the army of tots flooded the field. The eggs disappeared beneath a flurry of hands, and within minutes, the hunt was over. The kids walked back to their parents, each bearing his or her respective load.

Aleeah Weaver, 3, crouched in the grass and began cracking open the eggs. The first yielded a pack of Smarties. The second, a caramel.

"It' so exciting," she said.