Recreation Department Hosts Annual Easter Egg Hunt

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – It was a little before 1:30 Saturday afternoon at the back gymnasium area of the Newburgh Armory Unity Center and hundreds of youth, carrying baskets and bags, wearing wide smiles and brimming with unbridled energy had just entered the spectacular, magical, holiday scene diligently constructed and awaiting them inside.

“I enjoy providing a family friendly event and seeing the children’s reactions to seeing 20,000 eggs as they walk in and anticipating the excitement of gathering them,” said Maritza Wilson, City of Newburgh Recreation Coordinator who has been involved with its Annual Easter Egg Hunt event –one which has also taken place outdoors in conjunction with the Armory -for several years.

Among that awe-inducing assortment of colorful eggs, containing sweet treats inside, that blanketed the gymnasium’s extensive grounds, was a creative “Newburgh” formation, something many of the children were quick and excited to note upon awaiting their hunting venture. Two separate egg gathering ensembles were available: one for ages 0-5, the other for five years and over. Involving a “total team effort,” the popular, long-standing community venue involved about five people, each who put in many hours, making the affair that attracted 500 guests, yet another success this year.

“This is an open community event for everyone, a chance for people to come together and celebrate the holiday,” said Nick Galella, City of Newburgh Recreation Director. “We plan on continuing it each year.”

That news is something Newburgh resident, Arlene Jarvis, who was in attendance with her five year old grandson as well as his older sister for the first time, will be pleased to learn. She immediately expressed how satisfied she was with her family time there and definite intention to return next year.

“This was very well organized for all the different age groups,” said Jarvis who discovered the event on Facebook. “We had a lot of fun, and it was an added attraction to have the Easter Bunny’s presence as a surprise.”

Clad in a snazzy yellow and blue shirt, sharp blue-hued formal jacket, while adorned with pink ears and a magnetic smile, the Easter Bunny himself, surrounded by a colorful balloon arrangement with a “Happy Easter” message above it, could be spotted over in the left corner of the gymnasium. Engulfed by large lines awaiting a special opportunity to get their treasured family photo, which Wilson cited as a “keepsake-capturing the priceless memory for years to come”- taken, the Easter Bunny, situated nearby to the DJ providing motivating melodies, was a definite highlight-right alongside opening up egg prizes- for many at the event.

“It was very, very cool to see and get photos with the Easter Bunny,” said Penelope Rodriguez of New Windsor, who had along with her brother and sister (all of whom are actively involved in a repertoire of Saturday classes at the Armory where they learned of the event), joyfully filled up seven bags of eggs. “I really like collecting the eggs which I noticed some of them spelled the word Newburgh, and it will be even more fun to open them up later and see what’s inside them.”

It’s that thrilling reaction-complete with beautiful laughter and joy- from the children that provide the chief motivator for staging this Hunt each year. The uplifting-bonding community vibe it creates is priceless for those behind the scenes making all that magic transpire.

“I love how the community continues to embrace the events,” said Wilson. “I do it with love.”