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It's no yoke! Six hundred children scoop 10,000 eggs at Eggstravaganza

The annual event is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Grace Community Church in Waterside.


  • By Madison Bierl
  • | 7:51 p.m. March 28, 2026
Lakewood Ranch sisters Jade Lowrey, 5, and Hazel Lowrey, 3, had fun collecting eggs and getting their faces painted at Eggstravaganza.
Lakewood Ranch sisters Jade Lowrey, 5, and Hazel Lowrey, 3, had fun collecting eggs and getting their faces painted at Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old River Haedtke made a mad dash to collect as many eggs as she could grab. 

That was plenty, too, as Eggstravaganza, an event hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Grace Community Church, spread around 10,000 eggs filled with candy. 

Haedtke attended Eggstravaganza with her mom and dad, Christa and Dan, and her grandma, Janice Large. Large said she loved seeing how thrilled her granddaughter was each time she opened an egg. 

"It was our first time at the Eggstravaganza, which our neighbors raved about from last year," Christa Haedtke said. "It was an ideal time to connect with our neighbors and family, and enjoy some holiday fun." 

Waterside's Lucy Pellegrino, 6, and Dylan Pellegrino, 4, attended the event last year and were happy to be back. 

"We appreciate all the Grace Community Church volunteers who devoted their time and efforts to make such a memorable, fun family event to celebrate and remember the reason for the season," said Kristina Pellegrino, Lucy and Dylan's mom.

Lakewood Ranch's Karli and William Carr attended the event with the children 4-year-old Kollins and 3-year-old Titus. They are new to the area and have grown to love Waterside Place. Their favorite part was meeting the Easter Bunny.

"The kids had an absolute blast and loved all the vendors on site," Carli Carr said. "They definitely got a run for their money trying to keep up and grab as many eggs as they could! It was such a great turnout and a fun way to get into the spirit of Easter."




Waterside's Lucy Pellegrino, 6, and Dylan Pellegrino, 4, show off their Easter baskets at Eggstravaganza.
Waterside's Lucy Pellegrino, 6, and Dylan Pellegrino, 4, show off their Easter baskets at Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Bennett Puzzo, 1, fills her basket during Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park March 28.
Lakewood Ranch's Bennett Puzzo, 1, fills her basket during Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Rosedale's Joaquin Schutzbach, 4, and London Schutzbach, 6, feed carrots to the Easter Bunny during Eggstravaganza March 28.
Rosedale's Joaquin Schutzbach, 4, and London Schutzbach, 6, feed carrots to the Easter Bunny during Eggstravaganza March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Paulina Marin, 5, races to get as many eggs as she can during Eggstravaganza March 28.
Lakewood Ranch's Paulina Marin, 5, races to get as many eggs as she can during Eggstravaganza March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton's Rox Trapecar, 4, waits patiently for the egg hunt to begin dressed as Rapunzel from
Bradenton's Rox Trapecar, 4, waits patiently for the egg hunt to begin dressed as Rapunzel from "Tangled."
Photo by Madison Bierl
Parrish's Emma Alonso, 2, searches for the perfect egg during Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park March 28.
Parrish's Emma Alonso, 2, searches for the perfect egg during Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Greenbrook 5-year-old twins Logan and Henry Smith are ready to eat the candy they collected at Eggstravaganza March 28.
Greenbrook 5-year-old twins Logan and Henry Smith are ready to eat the candy they collected at Eggstravaganza March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Dean Tumbush, 3, and Walker Tumbush, 6, are visiting the Easter Bunny all the way from Ohio.
Dean Tumbush, 3, and Walker Tumbush, 6, are visiting the Easter Bunny all the way from Ohio.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Madelyn Goldstein, 1, is eagerly waiting to meet the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza.
Lakewood Ranch's Madelyn Goldstein, 1, is eagerly waiting to meet the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton's Kali Zinaman and her 1-year-old son, Finley Dunn, greet Akiko Campbell of Akiko Graphics who provides face painting for Eggstravaganza.
Bradenton's Kali Zinaman and her 1-year-old son, Finley Dunn, greet Akiko Campbell of Akiko Graphics who provides face painting for Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Forrest Turner, 2, takes his time gathering eggs at Eggstravaganza March 28.
Lakewood Ranch's Forrest Turner, 2, takes his time gathering eggs at Eggstravaganza March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Saanvi Sarna, 4, Sloane Sarna, 7, and their grandma, Seema Sarna, pose with the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza March 28.
Saanvi Sarna, 4, Sloane Sarna, 7, and their grandma, Seema Sarna, pose with the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Christa Haedtke, 5-year-old River Haedtke, Janice Large and Dan Haedtke capture the moment at Eggstravaganza.
Lakewood Ranch's Christa Haedtke, 5-year-old River Haedtke, Janice Large and Dan Haedtke capture the moment at Eggstravaganza.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Whitney Hebl, 5, feels on top of the world on Ryan Hebl's shoulders at Eggstravaganza on March 28.
Lakewood Ranch's Whitney Hebl, 5, feels on top of the world on Ryan Hebl's shoulders at Eggstravaganza on March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl
The guest of honor, the Easter Bunny, makes his way around to guests of Eggstravaganza before the egg hunt begins.
The guest of honor, the Easter Bunny, makes his way around to guests of Eggstravaganza before the egg hunt begins.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Kollins Carr, 4, shows off her best dance moves.
Lakewood Ranch's Kollins Carr, 4, shows off her best dance moves.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakehouse Cove's Natalie Scholz, 5-year-old Gabi Scholz and Suzi Scholz attend Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park March 28.
Lakehouse Cove's Natalie Scholz, 5-year-old Gabi Scholz and Suzi Scholz attend Eggstravaganza at Waterside Park March 28.
Photo by Madison Bierl

 

author

Madison Bierl

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.

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