Egg hunt had Hilton Beach hopping (14 photos)

What do you get when you combine hundreds of kids, a mild spring day and 10,000 plastic Easter eggs? A hopping Hilton Beach.

For a few hours Friday afternoon, the village swelled in numbers.

The fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt was hosted by Hilton Beach residents Kris and Amy Desjardin, who were pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

Visitors were encouraged to park in the village at a designated area and from there were bused to the Desjardin home. Six busloads of people were delivered to the field of candy-filled eggs.

For some visitors, the bus ride brought back memories from bygone days, while for others it was their first ride.

Amy said following the 2018 hunt, which saw a large number of vehicles crowding the roadway, AJ Bus Lines was contacted to help ensure the safety of children.

A record number of 200 children were registered for Friday’s event, up from 125 in last year.

Youngsters were accompanied by parents and, in some cases grandparents, bringing the estimated total to about 500 people.

Visitors hailed from across Ontario including Kingston, Dryden, Barrie, Elliot Lake, Hawk Junction, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph Island and the North Shore.

Earlier this week, the Easter bunny was seen clearing an area of snow for the youngest hunters age three and under, while the two older age groups, four to seven and eight to 12, navigated the more than 30 centimetres of snow still on the ground.

"That (snow) threw us for a loop this year," Amy said, adding plans changed. "Hope for the best next year and see what happens."

Preparation for the egg hunt began in January, from ordering the eggs from California to planning. Filling the eggs with treats was completed in the last month leading up to the egg hunt.

Amy is often asked why she does this every year.

"When you see the look on the kids’ faces, you'll know why," she said.

The Desjardins travel south to the Windsor area, where Amy is from, and the communities host events like the Easter egg hunt.

"It was something I said the island could benefit from and it's something fun for all ages," she said. "Everyone has a good time."

The Desjardin children love the extra attention as their yard becomes the scene of a massive scavenger hunt.

"This year they helped fill the eggs but did not help hide the eggs," Amy said. "We wanted them to be excited as well.

“In the store, they will see prizes they want to pick out something kids would like."

The first year saw about 40 youngsters and close friends and immediate family, and it grew from there.

That year also saw about 1,000 eggs to be hunted, then grew to 2,500 and then 3,500. This year saw a whopping 10,000 eggs filled and spread.

Some eggs, Desjardin said, have suckers, while others contain such goodies as miniature eggs, toys and sours.

This year not only saw the hunt for the golden egg, which leads to a special prize for whoever finds it. Thanks to several generous donors, bicycles geared to the three age groups were raffled off.

"More donations meant more prizes for the kids," Amy said.

The event was free event and participants enjoyed refreshments and a light snack.

In consideration of Good Friday, the Desjardins offered soup instead of hotdogs.

A drone operated by AJ Biron captured some footage that will be posted on the family website and YouTube.

In addition, about 20 family, friends, neighbours and high-school students volunteered their time, including the Easter bunny’s twin, Tristen Stevens of Hilton Township.

A donation jar was set up for Kayge Fowler of Sault Ste. Marie, with $450 raised.