Easter eggs to fall with a new twist in Modesto. Other hunts planned in the region
.JPG "Easter Eggs await during the 2019 hunt at the Modesto Certified Farmers Market.")
A Modesto church plans a new way to deliver Easter eggs to children on the hunt this year: dropping them from a hot air balloon.
Shelter Cove Community Church has delighted children in the past by dropping the holiday treasures from a helicopter, but this year it will be from a balloon, according to special-events director Shawn Tavarez.
It’s one of the larger egg hunts planned in the region, including two the weekend prior to Easter.
While talking about plans for this year’s egg hunt, Tavarez said, the creative team at Shelter Cove thought, “Do we want to keep doing the same thing every year?” So it came up with the balloon idea.
The balloon will float above the church grounds and drop eggs for five hunts: two on Saturday, April 16, and three on Easter Sunday, April 17.
While organizers aren’t concerned at this point that the weather will keep the balloon from going up, they do have an alternative plan, Tavarez said. The balloon will stay on the ground for kids to check out and volunteers will distribute the eggs across the large lawn area at the church.
Another change this year is that in order to participate, children must attend a prior church service to obtain a free wristband for each hunt. Parents can check in their children at a toddler or elementary school program before the services both days.
The toddler area will be day care only, while elementary age children will play games, sing songs and learn about Easter from a Christian perspective from a pastor, Tavarez said.
Kids will get color-coded wristbands to attend the following egg hunts.
In addition, Shelter Cove will have food trucks and the Yogurt Mill on hand Saturday evening so families can have dinner. Sunday, Yogurt Mill and doughnuts will be available.
“We’re just really focusing on families and them having that time together,” Tavarez said. “Just really a great experience all around.”
Here’s a look at some of the larger egg hunts planned in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions:
Modesto Reservoir – April 9: Stanislaus County Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department hosts egg hunts with more than 11,000 eggs to gather for ages 1 to 11. Other free activities include food vendors, games, face painting and train rides. 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Modesto Reservoir Regional Park, 18143 Reservoir Road, near Waterford. $15 per carload; egg hunts, games and activities are free. 209-525-6750.
Egg Scavenger Hunt – April 10: The Ceres Recreation Department hosts it first Easter egg hunt at Smyrna Park, inside the Costa Fields Complex. There will vendors beginning at noon and pictures with the Easter Bunny from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. The egg hunt begins at 1:30 p.m. 2113 Rose Ave., Ceres. CeresRec@ci.ceres.ca.us.
Modesto Farmers Market – April 16: Special Easter celebration market features egg hunts with prizes hidden inside the eggs. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; hunts begin at 9:20 a.m. with different times for different age groups. Live music. 16th Street between H and I streets. Free. modestocfm.com.
Easter Egg Drop – April 16-17: A hot air balloon will drop more than 14,000 eggs onto the property at Shelter Cove. Hunts are Saturday at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Children must attend a prior service to get free wristbands to join the egg hunts. Services are Saturday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sunday at 8:15 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Shelter Cove Community Church 4242 Coffee Road, Modesto. 209-567-3200.
Columbia’s Victorian Easter Celebration – April 17: Dress up in Victorian garb and join the event on Main Street in Columbia State Historic Park. Thaddeus E. Hare, Columbia’s Easter Bunny, will hand out goodies to kids. Egg hunts begin at noon, 1 and 1:30 p.m. by age group; Victorian Easter Parade begins at 12:30 p.m. Awards will be given for fanciest Victorian hat, best dressed couple, lasses and lads and more. Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia. Free. visitcolumbiacalifornia.com.
