More than 10,000 multi-colored plastic eggs covered the sand volleyball courts and the grass at Waterside Park the morning of April 12.
And then they were gone.
The annual Eggstravaganza event in Lakewood Ranch unleashed more than 700 children to vacuum the eggs in an instant. The children were directed to areas that were restricted to their age group — 1-3, 3-5 and 5 and up.
EGGstravaganza was hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, led by event planner Paige Venuto.
“It’s a signature spring tradition that brings together residents and community members,” said Danielle Bugel, marketing manager of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Along with the egg hunt, there was also an opportunity to meet and take photos with the Easter Bunny. Mia Angeles, a 7-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident, was excited to get her picture with the Easter Bunny.
“It’s big and fuzzy,” Angeles said.
Children also were able to jump in a bounce house, get their faces painted by Akiko Graphics and explore the various food and business vendor booths.
The presenting sponsor for EGGstravaganza was Grace Community Church.
Olivia Begon, 2, and Chloe Begon, 4, check out the candy that is inside their eggs.
Photo by Madison Bierl
The eggs have been collected and now it's candy time for 4-year-old Chloe Begon during Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jovanni Alvarez, 2, is warming up for the start of Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jay Marsh, 2, fills his basket during Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Shirlene Kodiak holds her daughter Siena Kodiak so she can get up close with the mascot at the Sunshine Movers booth.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lincoln Naser,3, gives a wave to the Easter Bunny.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Gabriel Damasceno and Ethan Correa show off their bunny ears.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bennett Sanders, 4, says "Hello sunshine!"
Photo by Madison Bierl
Cesar Levison and 3-year-old Roman Levison search for the perfect bubble.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Olivia Begon, 2, is ready to hop for eggs.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Everess Zetts, 5, loves rainbows, so it was an easy decision when she had her face painted at Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Ivie Petrov, 1, has her hands filled with eggs during Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Troy Phelan gives his 1-year-old Kash a ride during Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Mia Angeles, 7, says the Easter Bunny is "big and fuzzy."
Photo by Madison Bierl
Ava Miller, 2, enjoys a strawberry lemonade flavored treat with her mom, Alissa Miller.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sophia White, 2, compares matching outfits with the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Who needs eggs when you have bubbles? Elio Maharaj, 3, chases bubbles through Waterside Park during Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jude Tomchinsky, 2, warms up for the egg hunt, by sinking some putts at the PopStroke booth.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Francois Einwaechter, 3, gets his toes in the sand as he collects eggs during Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Three-year-old Robert Sieger is ready to sprint to gather eggs at Waterside Park during Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Liam Carbajal, 1, wears a Bluey shirt as he checks his eggs in his Bluey basket.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Christian Diaz, 5, has a chick painted on his face by Akiko Campbell of Akiko Graphics. Campbell has painted faces for 18 years.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
