Kids scour for eggs in Naperville

The rush began minutes before 10 a.m. as dozens of parents and their toddlers rushed toward the baseball fields.

The annual Egg Hunt at Naperville's Frontier Park complex would last only five minutes, if that long.

As hundreds of kids began to scour the fields for one of 15,000 eggs filled with candy and toys scattered across the fields, Naperville resident John Zhang -- and his 6-year-old daughter Hannah -- apparently missed their chance.

At 10:04 a.m.

"I had a hard time finding parking," he said.

By 9:45, hundreds of little egg-hunters geared up in winter fatigues and colorful baskets readied themselves at the starting lines.

The cold air and wind were already putting a first coat of ruddy war paint on little cheeks.

And Bonnie Novak was there to document every moment of her grandsons' endeavors.

"Last year we got here a little too early and had to stand in the freezing weather," the Naperville resident said as her grandsons, 3-year-old Connor and 20-month-old Caden, looked over their spoils.

Rhonda Antoniolli and her friend, Maura DeCapua, have been bringing their children to the annual egg hunt for the last four years.

While the parents claim to impart no advice to their children on how to grab the most eggs, that doesn't stop the kids from getting together and cooking up their own plans.

"You ought to see them," Antoniolli said. "They definitely strategize."

The Naperville Jaycees, which helped organize the annual event, accepted donations of nonperishable food items for the Naperville Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry.

And for those who came late to the annual affair, organizers did have some extra eggs stashed away to help parents cope with some disappointed kids.

Carelys Hepburn definitely took advantage of that good will as her children, 4-year-old Connor and 2-year-old Eliana, pouted by her side as she begged volunteers for a way to appease her kids.

"I just thought 'oh my goodness, what am I going to do,'" Hepburn admitted as she arrived just a few minutes late to the egg hunt. "They were so nice to give us these little toys and candies."