Photos by Marie Mccolm On Saturday, March 30, approximately 150 people attended an Easter Egg Hunt at Chapman Park in Monte Vista. The event was a collaboration between the Monte Vista Elks Lodge and the Monte Vista Police Department.

MONTE VISTA — Approximately 150 people, including adults and children, attended an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30, at Chapman Park. The hunt was a collaboration between the Monte Vista Elks Lodge and the Monte Vista Police Department.

Children were lined up for the hunt ready and excited, holding various multi-colored Easter baskets, eagerly awaiting their chance to hunt eggs at Chapman Park.

Before the hunt began, Joy Werner, trustee of the Monte Vista Elks, spoke to the attendees about the hunt and how it would work.

“We want to thank all our volunteers for their help,” she said. “We want to thank the Monte Vista Police Department for their help. We want to let you know that the Easter Bunny is on his way to see everyone.”

The age groups are going to be 0-5, 6-9, and 10-12, she said. Some of the eggs had prizes. Wener also stated that if there were attendees that did not want to take the plastic eggs with them, they could put them into a plastic bag and they could be used next year.

The Easter Bunny arrived in a Monte Vista Police Department car, with the lights on top of the car flashing. The Easter Bunny stepped out of the car wearing a blue vest and pink bowtie, hopped over to where the volunteers were laying eggs and waved at all the kids, while the eggs were being placed by them.

Once all the eggs were laid out, the first group began their hunt, with children laughing, running, and gathering eggs into their baskets.

The volunteers helped place more eggs in between each hunt. Many children received eggs with prize slips. Prizes consisted of books and toys, such as stuffed animals.

Overall, Werner said that the event was a success.

“I was a little worried about the weather. Each year we do fight weather conditions because we just never know what kind of weather we are going to have this time of year. Overall, I am happy with the turn out and the kids seem to really be enjoying themselves. Everyone looks happy,” she said.