City of Newburgh families celebrated the annual city Easter Egg Hunt at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center on Saturday, March 30. The indoor fields used for the hunt had about 20,000 plus eggs scattered around, waiting to be collected.

Just before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, the Armory weekend classes concluded with parents and their children making their way into the interior field area, lining up against the outer areas. Volunteers and staff members quickly went about dispersing the eggs ready to be collected.

Two fields were used for the collection, one for the older children and the other for the younger children and their parents. As the time drew closer, music filled the stadium and further instructions were given to those in attendance.

Children were seen lining up and crowding together towards the entrances to the field, eagerly waiting for them to be let in. Some even started chants, hoping to be let in to get their eggs. With everything in place, Councilman Omari Shakur was then given the opportunity to begin the countdown for the egg hunt. As soon as the signal was given, children rushed the field.

Baskets and bags quickly filled up with colorful eggs and parents helped their younger children pick them up as they went. Once all the eggs were collected and put into the baskets, a long line of families patiently waited for their opportunity to take a picture with the Easter Bunny.

Maritza Wilson of the recreation department was overjoyed with the turnout of the event. “I’m so happy. It’s just nice to see the joy in the kids’ faces and the families and being able to celebrate another holiday together,” she said.

The city egg hunt was the third year of collaboration with the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, the City of Newburgh and City Recreation Department. About three years ago, the day before Easter, the city had planned an egg hunt but the weather was not in the city’s favor.

Luckily, Wilson said, Max Cuacuas, Director of Operations for the Armory, reached out to her about the situation and suggested that the hunt be moved inside that year and thus the city has been able to use the facility for the past several years. Even while inside, families enjoyed the bright sun that came in.

“This is the third year that we’ve collaborated with the City of Newburgh and the Newburgh Recreation Department to put this on. It’s been bigger and bigger every year, I think this is the largest crowd we’ve drawn,” said Cuacuas. “I would just like to remind everyone to really take the time to enjoy the time with their families. That’s the most important.”

With the warmer months ahead, Wilson encourages her community to stay connected to all that is being offered. Families took their pictures and another city egg hunt drew to a close.