Batavia Easter egg hunt moved to nighttime

If you're hunting for Easter eggs in Batavia this year, bring a flashlight with your basket.

Instead of the traditional Saturday morning festivity, the Batavia Park District is having a nighttime hunt.

"We wanted to kind of spice it up," said Gail Zwaska, the district's recreation supervisor. They got the idea from other districts, including the Winfield Park District.

Unlike Winfield, Batavia's eggs won't glow in the dark.

The hunt is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Prairie Path Park on South Raddant Road, near Rotolo Middle School. It is for children ages 2 to 8.

Kids won't have to rely entirely on their flashlights; the district will set up work lights.

And as usual, be on time. "It's one of our quickest events," warned Zwaska, describing the dash for the goodies.

The free hunt is preceded by "Dessert With the Easter Bunny" at 6 p.m. at Rotolo Middle School, 1501 S. Raddant. Brownies and ice cream will be served. The Easter Bunny will be available for photographs but bring a camera. Preregistration is required. Visit bataviaparks.org, or call (630) 879-5235.

The Geneva Park District's egg hunt, for children ages 2 to 9, is March 27 at the Persinger Recreation Center on Kaneville Road. The hunt is free. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m.

There is also a breakfast with the Easter Bunny, sponsored by the park district and the Geneva Kiwanis Club, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. that morning in the recreation center. Cost is $5 per person, free for children 2 and younger. Reservations are recommended; sign up online at genevaparks.org, or at the Sunset Community Center, 710 Western Ave., Geneva.

Geneva is also debuting a nighttime hunt for middle school students at 7 p.m. March 26 at Peck Farm Park, but the registration deadline has passed.