Several hundred kids got the jump on Easter on Saturday at the annual Bartlett Parks and Recreation Department Easter Egg Hunt and Hat Decorating Contest.

Attendees enjoyed outstanding weather at W.J. Freeman Park, where the Easter Bunny arrived via an escort from the Bartlett Police Department to help kick off the festivities.

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“We have more than 10,000 eggs,” said Cassi Montoya, facility manager at Bartlett’s Singleton Community Center. “Around 5,000 eggs are toy-filled, and about 6,000 are full of candy.”

Lucky kids in each age division who found special eggs won even bigger prizes.

Nine-year-old Jaylah Rowetook home one of the large Easter basket prizes.

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“This is our first time here,” her father, Jason Rowe, said. “We live in the neighborhood, and someone told us we should check it out. It turned out to be a really nice day and a fun time.”

Jacia Williams Portwood, who lives nearby, brought her 2-year-old son, Jace, and his grandparents to the park.

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“It’s my first time with having my son Easter egg hunting, and it’s just beautiful out here today,” Portwood said.

Over the years, the city has tried different formats for the event, including an adult’s egg hunt and a glow-in-the-dark hunt for teenagers.

“Now it’s just for the kids. This way seems to work the best,” said Shan Criswell, director of the Bartlett Parks and Rec Department. “This is such a well-run Easter egg hunt, people come from all over.”

She estimates that the city has held the egg hunt for more than 30 years, including during the recent pandemic when it became a drive-up event.

Bartlett Alderman Brad King was impressed with the fun, family friendly occasion.

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“To bring this many people out today, it’s really something positive for the city,” he said. “We’re glad yesterday’s poor weather missed us.”

Four age groups of kids up to 10-years-old scrambled to fill their baskets with colorful eggs during the egg hunt.

Around 10 children entered the hat and Easter bonnet contest, with creations they made at home that were judged on creativity, originality and visual appeal.

“Historically it’s been a bonnet contest, but we found that people didn’t know what that word meant anymore. So we changed it to ‘Easter hat’ this year, and we had an even bigger turnout for it than last year,” Montoya said.

The Easter Bunny stuck around after the egg hunt and hat contest to pose for pictures with the kids.

USA Karate Bartlett sponsored the day’s events, which are always held on the Saturday before Palm Sunday.