Area Easter egg hunts keep the kids hopping


Easter egg hunts are scheduled around the area, and soon children will be scurrying over the springtime greenery in search of the colorful holiday treasures – as they did in 2012 when this photo was taken at the First Christian Church’s annual egg hunt.

Easter is Sunday, April 1, and several area churches and organizations are hosting Easter egg hunts in and near Ozark County. We’ve compiled some of the activities into this list. To have your  Easter event added to next week’s list, email jessi@ozarkcountytimes.com or call the Times office at 417-679-4641.

Saturday, March 24
The Junior Auxiliary Easter egg hunt is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at Cooper Park’s east field on Spring Street in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The event is free for children of all ages.

The City of Ava Parks & Recreation is hosting an Easter egg hunt with over 8,000 eggs at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Ava lower park. The egg hunt is open to all children ages 0 to 12. Hunts will be organized by age group: Ages 0-3 begins at 4 p.m, ages 4-6 at 4:15 p.m., ages 7-9 at 4:30 p.m. and ages 10-12 at 4:45 p.m. Organizers ask that children ages 4 and older hunt eggs without their parents.

Friday, March 30
Carl Wayne’s Bunny Trail on Ninth Street in Mountain Home is hosting a Bunny Trail event from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 30. Children can collect eggs along the Bunny Trail, and HB Photography will be on site taking photos. Attendees can receive a free 4-inch by 6-inch photo of their children taken at the event.

Saturday, March 31
First Christian Church is hosting its annual community Easter egg hunt for toddlers through fifth grade at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera as the Easter Bunny will be making an appearance. The hunt will be held on the church grounds on Highway 160 across from the city park in Gainesville.

VFW Post 5366 in Isabella is holding an Easter egg hunt for children ages 1 to12 on Saturday, March 31.Sign-up begins at 9 a.m. for a drawing for three bicycles in three different age groups. The VFW is on HH Highway  about 500 feet south of Highway 160 in Isabella. For more information, call 273-5008.

The Bridge to the Living Word Church is hosting an Easter egg hunt for children ages 1 to 12  at the Theodosia park by Bull Shoals Lake from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31. It’s a free event, open to the public. The church will grill hot dogs for lunch. Prizes will be awarded in various age groups, organizers said. A separate egg-hunting area will be available for children up to 4 years old.

A Pontiac Easter egg hunt will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Pontiac park off W Highway in Pontiac. Everyone is invited. Those who plan to attend are asked to provide 15 filled plastic eggs per child attending to organizer Jabet Wade at Pontiac Cove Marina before March 31. Muffins and juice will be provided, and the Easter Bunny will make an appearance. For more information, call Wade at 679-3676.

The Lutie PTO will host an Easter egg hunt at the Lutie Memorial Trail on Highway 160 between the DX Station and Dollar General in Theodosia, at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31. All children grades pre-K to sixth grade are welcome. Candy and prizes will be available for participants. Attendees will have a chance to get their photo taken with the Easter Bunny at a photo booth on site for $2 per photo. The PTO is accepting donations of plastic eggs and candy to be used at the hunt. Those wishing to donate can drop off the items at Lutie School during regular school hours or contact Holly Jones at 417-255-5045 (leave a message). The rain date is April 7 at the same time and location.

The Bakersfield Baptist Church is hosting an Easter egg hunt at Pride Park in Bakersfield at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31. The event, which is free and open to children in second grade and younger, will begin at 1 p.m. with a short talk on the meaning of Easter; the instructions and egg hunt will follow. About 900 eggs will be hidden in three areas by the ballparks, and each age group will be eligible for three special prizes for finding the most eggs, finding a golden egg and finding a silver egg. For more information, call the Bakersfield Baptist Church at 417-204-5390.

Trinity Worship Center in West Plains is hosting an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at the church on K Highway. The event will have 2,000 eggs, crafts, a free lunch and the Easter bunny. Prizes, including bikes, will be given away.

Easter Eggs-travaganza will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 31, at Brooke Haven Healthcare on Kentucky Avenue in West Plains. The event will feature a petting zoo and free photos with the Easter bunny. The egg hunt will be organized into age groups. The event will also feature a little Mr. and Mrs. Easter - best dressed in the following categories: 0 to 3 years, 4 to 7 years,  and 8 to 12 years. For more information, call the Brooke Haven activity department at 417-256-7975.

Hope Church in Mountain Home, is hosting an Easter Eggstravaganza at 750 Green Valley Drive across from Baxter Healthcare on Highway 201 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31. The egg hunt will feature 6,000 Easter eggs stuffed with treats, Easter baskets, a bounce house, a carnival, puppets, live entertainment, a food court and giveaways including bikes, cash, toys, gift cards and more. The event is free, and everyone is welcome.

Sunday, April 1
Anew Church
on the Gainesville square will host an Easter egg hunt after Easter Sunday service at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 1. The hunt is open to children of all ages.

Rockbridge Rainbow Trout Ranch is hosting an Easter egg hunt at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1, at the resort off N Highway north of Gainesville. All ages are welcome to join in the fun. Attendees are asked to bring a basket for their eggs. For more information, call Rockbridge Rainbow Trout Ranch at 417-679-3619.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423