City to Resume Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter Bunny is on his way back to Santa Fe, on the city's dime this year. After a yearslong hiatus, a city-funded Easter egg hunt is set to take place on the day before Easter at the Municipal Recreation Center's softball fields.

The candy-centric event was cancelled in 2011, when city leaders said they wanted to focus on more healthy options for kids. Peggy Trujillo, who has been the city's Parks and Recreation marketing and special events administrator for the past seven years, says she's glad it's back on.

"This Easter egg hunt was a continuous, annual Easter egg hunt up until about six years ago," Trujillo explains, "and it was discontinued. So we brought it back to life."

The event, which generated costs of up to $20,000 in the past, has a smaller budget this year. So far, Trujillo reports she's spent about $8,000.

Children can expect clowns and face painters at the event, as well as hunts on separate, age-specific fields with collection bags provided: 5- and 6-year-olds; 7- and 8-year-olds; 9- and 10-year-olds. Those 4 and under will get pre-filled bags, she says, "because they are too small to go out and hunt." Children may have more activity options at the event, like potato sack races, if the city gets more volunteers (to volunteer, call Trujilllo at 955-2143).

All the city is asking in return for the Easter extravaganza is that participants bring one canned good to donate to efforts to relieve hunger.

Catch the candy hunt from 11 am to 1 pm Saturday, March 26, at the facility at 205 Caja del Rio Road.

Santa Fe Reporter