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Community Corner

Bunny Bonanza Draws Record Turnout

Fine weather draws about 1,200 parents, kids to Willow Stream Park.

Thanks to some eggs-cellent spring weather, an estimated 1,200 people — many of them basket-totting youngsters — descended upon Saturday for the 's Bunny Bonanza.

Crowds of parents and excited kids began jamming the parking lot at 9:30 a.m., a full hour before the scheduled start of the event, which featured three Easter egg hunts set up by age groups, rides, face painting and photo opps with the Easter Bunny.

Recreation Supervisor Erika Strojinc said 25 volunteers — students from Stevenson School — spread more than 8,000 brightly colored plastic eggs on three soccer fields set up for the egg hunt.

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As the start of each hunt drew near, eager children and their parents formed a line that stretched completely around the perimeter of each soccer field.

"I've been watching these for 20 years and I have never seen this many people at an Easter egg hunt," said Dan Schimmel, executive director of the park district. "It usually rains."

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Strojinc also said the clear skies and temperatures near 60 played a key role in the huge turnout.

"Last year, it rained," she said, remembering that parks workers handed out eggs as youngsters riding in cars driven by their parents drove by.

Sisters Natalie and Antonette Canella were among the first to try the new Easter Egg Relay, which challenged participants to balance an egg on a spoon as they walked a short course.

Their mom, Angeline, watched approvingly and said her daughters would share any eggs they bring home.

"We had a talk before we got here about that," she said with a laugh.

While other kids eagerly awaited the first egg hunt, John Pesche, 3, of Wheeling spent the time photographing eggs he found in the grass of the soccer fields.

"He takes a lot of pictures," said his mom, April, who lent him her camera for the day. "We got him his own camera."

Grace Saiki of Buffalo Grove said her daughter, Sara 4, was an egg hunt veteran.

"She's been here before," she said. "Will she share? I hope so."

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