Spring weather greeted families Saturday during the second annual Easter Egg Roll at Bryant Commons in Hinesville. The event was organized by the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority and Fort Stewart MWR.
Kids of all ages took turns rolling eggs with wooden spoons down one of eight courses. Little ones petted bunnies, while older children searched for items like shiny pennies in a scavenger hunt. Some folks tried fishing with Kids Gone Fishing or flying kites with Jungle Jakes owner Jason Lee.
Families who stayed for lunch with the Easter Bunny munched on barbecue by Sho’ Nuff Smokin’ Good BBQ. The Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association National Museum was open to visitors. The family-friendly movie “Hops,” was also shown.
“I love it,” said Fort Stewart Army spouse Melissa Controne. “This is our first Easter here in Hinesville. We’re looking forward to lunch with the Easter Bunny.”
Controne, her husband Robert , 3-year old daughter Allison and 15-month old son, Bobby, joined other young families across the park, going from one activity to the next.
“We had about 300 come to the first Easter Egg Roll last year,” Hinesville Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Vicki Davis said.
“We had 2,500 people attend our fall (Pumpkin Patch) event last year,” Davis said.
Davis said the Easter Egg Roll was patterned after the White House’s event.
“It’s like an old fashioned relay race,” she said. All children receive prizes for participating, and the event’s winners would get larger prizes, Davis said.
Sponsors included Realty Executives, The Heritage Bank, Jungle Jakes, Kids Gone Fishing, Navy Federal Credit Union, Amerigroup and United Military Care, according to Davis. Resident Kendra Lau set up a pen so little ones could pet her rabbits.