Get your kid’s Easter baskets ready, because Hinesville will have a pair of Easter egg hunts Saturday.
Special needs children can join the hunt for Easter eggs and see some rabbits in action from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 2nd Annual Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt at Irene B. Thomas Park.
The Big Easter Egg Hunt at Bryant Commons, hosted by the Hineville Downtown Development Authority, is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The special needs Easter egg hunt is hosted by the Hinesville Fire Department. HFD Captain Andra Hart said last year Deputy Fire Chief Kris Johanson approached him about having the event specifically geared towards special needs children.
“We wanted to give back to the community and give the children something to participate in,” Hart said.
Almost 100 people attended, Hart said, and the department is hoping to see more this year.
In addition to finding Easter eggs, children will receive gift bags, can take firetruck photos, get their face painted, see animals and go on a train ride.
Food and snacks will also be provided.
While the children play parents will have the opportunity to provide important information about their child in case of an emergency, such as filling out one form that tells firefighters and other first responders where a special needs child is usually located in the home.
“We’ll then take that form and give it to 911, so if we’re called to a home we’ll know where the child is in the house and can respond,” Hart said.
Parents can also participate in the Child Identification Program. It involves the parent providing information, getting a voice recording, finger print and DNA swab and of their special needs child.
“It will be put in a bag and given

to the parents, along with the information they provided, so if anything happens, they can give it all to law enforcement,” he said.
Hart encouraged all families with special needs children to attend so the children can have fun and parents can learn more about safety.
The Big Easter Egg Hunt just keeps getting bigger.
“The exciting thing about this year is we anticipate there to be double or triple the crowd we’ve had in past years because of the favorite events and the addition of live music,” said HDDA Executive Director Michelle Ricketson.
The main musical act is John Woodson and the Passion City Band, the backup band for Christian artist Chris Tomlin. A number of local Christian acts are also expected to perform, Ricketson said.
Ages 16 and under can hunt for up to 10,000 eggs, which will be filled with either candy or a small toy.
Egg hunt times will be divided by age group. Kids up to 5 will hunt ages from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Children from 6 to 10 will hunt eggs from 11:10 a.m. until 11:40 a.m.
Kids from 11 to 16 years old will hunt from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.
There will also be hay rides, music, face painting, inflatables, lawn games, food and the Easter Bunny will be on hand.
Both events are free of charge and open to the public.