By JARED G. JONES
Easter is a time to look for eggs, find candy and spend time with relatives. This year, Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation will provide 17 opportunities for people to participate in free Easter-egg hunts throughout Salt Lake Valley.
Easter activities this year will be on a much larger scale, and more than 1,000 children are expected to attend, said Steve Savage of MKL Public Relations.
“This year there are many more areas where children can participate,” Savage said.
Hunts for children 12 and under will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday throughout Salt Lake City. Locations include Redwood Center Park, Granger Park, Big Bear Park, South Jordan Park Northwest Multipurpose Center, Central City Community Center, Wheeler Historic Farm, West Jordan Soccer Complex and the football fields of Kearns, Taylorsville and Cyprus high schools. Each location will cater to a different age group. Call 801-468-2560 for details.
There is also a hunt beginning at 10 a.m. at Judge Memorial High School’s football field.
In addition to Easter-egg hunts for young children, two “flashlight hunts” for children ages 11 and up will be available this year. One hunt for ages 13 to 15 will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Granger Park while another for ages 11 and up will begin at dark at the Judge Memorial High School football field. Participants should bring their own flashlights.
The flashlight hunts have taken place in previous years, but in different locations, said a representative of the Kiwanis South Recreation Center.
“We are having one this year because (flashlight hunts) have been popular in other parts of the valley. We are expecting about 200 to 300 people to attend,” she said.
The Easter Bunny will help open activities at the West Jordan Soccer Complex. Activities like face painting, an Easter-egg scramble, a coloring contest and other games for children are all free, but tickets must be obtained at Super Target stores.
The Easter-egg hunts will provide opportunities for children and parents to participate.
“We are encouraging parents to bring parents to bring their children early to ensure their participation. If they come late they might miss chances to collect the eggs and candy,” said Scott Kerr, Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation special events coordinator.
For people desiring one-on-one experience with the Easter bunny, there will be a breakfast with him. The breakfast, which will be April 11 will cost $6 per person.
