Thousands race for eggs at annual Mooseheart hunt

The football scoreboard ticked down the last 10 seconds on the clock. Plastic eggs, stuffed animals, candy and other goodies seemingly taunted kids who could hardly hold themselves back from crossing the boundary lines in their age designated areas.

When the clock struck zero, roughly 4,000 children and their families were unleashed to collect eggs at Mooseheart's sixth annual Easter egg hunt in Batavia Saturday. Within five minutes, there was no trace of the goodies that littered the field moments before.

Melissa and Charlie Parker of North Aurora have been bringing their two children, Taylor, 6, and little Charlie, 2, since Taylor was born. Melissa said they look forward to it every year and enjoy the spirit of Easter at the event.

"The Easter egg hunt is something we're proud to offer to the surrounding communities around Mooseheart," Mooseheart Executive Director Gary Urwiler said. "We try to make it more of 'family time,' another of those family traditions."

Other activities included face painting, crafts, a bounce house, petting zoo and pony rides. The Easter bunny was on hand for photos and guests were treated to a free hot dog lunch.

For more information, call (630) 906-3601 or visit www.mooseheart.org.