Pony rides, petting zoo and more at Mooseheart's annual egg hunt March 24

Nearly 20,000 eggs and other Easter-related goodies will be collected from Mooseheart's artificial turf football field in mere minutes at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, when the eighth annual Easter egg hunt takes place.

However, there are always many more things to do than just collect eggs, stickers and pencils. A full slate of activities is again set to entertain youngsters during the eighth annual celebration that has become one of the area's great annual events.

"I always have the opportunity to be up above and looking down when we say 'go,' and I get to see the children 'swarm,' and it's always something that's just incredible," said Mooseheart Executive Director Gary Urwiler.

Gates open at 10 a.m. prior to the 11 a.m. egg hunt, which is open to children up to age 8. There will be separate hunts for children ages 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. Each year, 4,000 local children participate in the free hunt, and then enjoy the many activities Mooseheart organizes, which are open until 1 p.m.

"We hope it's a moment where parents can allow their children to participate in a nice wholesome activity. We love seeing kids walking around and being happy and enjoying their day here," Urwiler said.

Activities take place in and adjacent to the campus' Field House, which is attached to the football stadium. Among those activities are pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, arts and crafts and face painting. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos.

"It's one of those events that we really look forward to. We get to open our gates and give people an opportunity to be on our campus for a free event. We like to think we've been a great neighbor to the Fox Valley for over 100 years, and this is just a small way of doing that," Urwiler said.

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

Mooseheart is between North Aurora and Batavia, two miles north of I-88 on Route 31.