Attending a meeting of the special events committee of the Manheim Township Recreation and Park Planning Department is a little like witnessing a comedic improv. The zingers and one-liners abound. The recent Community Egg Hunt planning meeting was no exception.

"It's an eggstravaganza," pointed out Matt Stopa, director of the department. Having uttered the words, Stopa quickly admitted that he had stolen the pun from Harry Norton, adult and family program manager with Recreation and Parks.

Not to be outdone, food services manager Sara Urban added, "Any bunny can come."

The free 2022 Manheim Township Community Egg Hunt will be held at the Manheim Township Athletic Complex, 2883 Weaver Road, Lancaster, on Saturday, April 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. The annual event will feature 4,000 eggs placed with the help of the Manheim Township Key Club, a visit with a human-sized bunny, and special prizes for participants who find golden eggs.

Stopa reported that the event was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. In 2021, the department went to great lengths to offer the hunt, measuring a ball field and calculating how many people could attend in order to meet guidelines. "We figured we could legally hold more than 1,500 people, which we knew we wouldn't get," said Norton. Stopa added that registering participants and counting attendees allowed for a successful event.

This year, those wishing to participate need only show up at the specified place and time. Egg hunt-themed craft activities will be offered, including coloring bunny faces or making bunny ears to wear. Last year, the public works department put together giant egg puzzles, but this year, parents and children will have the opportunity to work on those puzzles together. A DJ will be present and a bubble machine will be in use. Free popcorn will be served. A human-size bunny will appear for photo opportunities just prior to the start of the egg hunt at 1:30 p.m.

Stopa explained that the 4,000 eggs will be divided into groups of about 700 each in two areas to be hunted by designated age groups, which are 2 and under, ages 3 and 4, ages 5 and 6, and ages 7 and 8. "There will be 14 golden eggs (total), and they will be divided by age group," explained Stopa, who noted that prizes will include gift baskets filled with games and plush toys children will appreciate. "Once a hunter has found a golden egg, he or she may not take another, and no pushing will be allowed. "Last year to pick up 4,000 eggs took about two minutes," he said with a chuckle.

In the case of severe weather, a rain date will be considered. Readers should visit http://www.manheimtownship.org for updates on the event.