Join the Easter Bunny and hop on over to a free community celebration when GEARS hosts its annual Eggstravaganza. Featuring egg hunts for people of all ages, the event will be held on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to noon at Elizabethtown Community Park, 201 S. Mount Joy St.

Egg hunts will start at 10 a.m. and happen every 15 minutes in age groups ranging from children age 2 and under to senior citizens.

"Egg hunts are free for kids age 12 and under. The senior egg hunt for ages 60-plus is also free," said Lee Eckert, GEARS recreation director. "To participate in the adult egg hunt participants should purchase a ticket the day of the event." The adult egg hunt is open to people ages 13 to 59.

"Eggs will be stuffed with candy and prize tickets," Eckert shared, adding that candy was donated by Mars Wrigley. "Once their egg hunt is finished, people will bring their prize tickets to the prize table. Prizes for the egg hunts for children 12 and under will include various toys and stuffed animals. Senior and adult egg hunt prizes include various gift cards to downtown Elizabethtown businesses."

Along with the egg hunt, the event will feature free pictures with the Easter Bunny and refreshments for purchase from Hitch Coffee food truck.

Eckert noted he is particularly excited about the return of Hitch Coffee and the assistance of the Rotary Club of Elizabethtown with helping to hide the eggs. It's no small task, because there will be a lot of eggs.

"We will have over 25,000 eggs filled with candy, small toys and prize slips!" Eckert said.

Eggstravaganza is important to GEARS because it fosters community engagement, brings families together and provides a fun experience for groups of all ages, he stated.

"By hosting it annually, it provides families an event to look forward to every year, encourages outdoor activity and creates traditions for our families in our area," he remarked. "It also helps raise awareness about GEARS' programs and services we offer throughout the year. This is a family event for a newborn to grandma to make memories. Bring your baskets and get ready to hunt for eggs and win great prizes, not just candy!"

Eckert emphasized that along with volunteers from the Rotary Club, the event would not be possible without the partnership between GEARS and Mars Wrigley, as well as donations from Members 1st Federal Credit Union.

Preregistration is not required for Eggstravaganza, and the event will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit https://getintogears.org/eggstravaganza.