Brightly colored Easter eggs dotted the grassy area of downtown Pembroke Saturday when hundreds of children darted around in search of as many eggs as their Easter baskets would hold.
In Richmond Hill, a crowd estimated at close to 3,000 people converged on J.F. Gregory Park to hunt eggs, enjoy free food and pose with the Easter bunny as part of the sixth annual Easter Extravaganza.
There were plenty of eggs to go around, too.
Volunteers from New Beginnings Community Church stuffed 29,000 plastic eggs with prizes ranging from candy to gold $1 coins.
In Pembroke, more than 3,000 eggs were picked up within a matter of minutes by children like Victoria Edwards, 9, and Makenzie Edwards, 5, who said even though they didn't count their eggs, they still enjoyed the hunt.
But Victoria Edwards said even though the egg hunt was fun, she was most excited about the "Easter Rabbit" coming for a visit.
"Almost everybody is," she said excitedly.
While waiting to see who had one of the winning tickets for the Easter baskets from the raffle, children received candy, balloons, cookies donated by Harvey's and sweet tea donated by McDonald's. Children also enjoyed bounce houses and holding live bunnies for Easter pictures from local photographer Wendolyn Wells.
Sunny skies and cool spring temperatures complemented the event, Executive Director of Pembroke's Downtown Development Authority Sharroll Fanslau said, noting she was grateful so many children were able to participate.
"We had a great group of kids," she said. "Everyone was really excited. The weather was nice-it was a little cool but it warmed up in time for the kids to come out and enjoy it."
Read full story in Wednesday's Byan County News.