Hunting for 15,000 Easter Eggs

It was a chance to find more than 15,000 Easter eggs buried in the oceanfront beach sands, but competiting to find them was an estimated 5,000 children.

The Palm Sunday Egg Hunt held Sunday in Seaside Heights had many organizers and volunteers lending a hand to make the annual tradition a success by burying more than 15,000 plastic eggs in the sand. Each of the eggs had a prize inside, such as a gift certificate or coupon to redeem at a local business.

And yet, after the cue was given to start hunting, the children had found all the eggs  in about four minutes.

A few celebrities made it out to the beach for the festivities including The Easter Bunny, of course,  with his friend, Buster, from the Lakewood Blue Claws. The actual egg hunt itself took place at 1 p.m., but the fun started after all of the eggs were found.

Maria Maruca, Executive Director of the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District, said the event's success is due in large part to sponsors such as Coca-Cola, TD Bank and the boardwalk businesses who contribute the prizes in the eggs.

"We have 15,000 eggs that have prizes in them and the businesses contribute a certain amount of prizes," said Maruca, who is a Toms River Township Council member. "We have the Lakewood Blue Claws who contributed 5,000 tickets to a game for the remainder of April and once the kids get their eggs they go onto the boardwalk and redeem them for prizes at the corresponding businesses."

Maruca, who said the event is over 50 years old, also spoke about the amount of people who came out to the event this year: "We have one of our largest crowds here today. We probably have about 3,000 to 5,000 kids here."

The event is made up of six different age groups which have about 500 to 600 kids at each age group, Maruca said.  Ages 0-2 were at Hancock Ave which is north of Casino Pier, ages 3-4 is at Blaine Avenue, ages 5-6 is at Sumner Avenue, ages 7-8 is at Hamilton and ages 9-10 at Lincoln.

"And new this year we put in a challenge area for children with special needs, because over the past couple of years we've heard parents who wanted to see this, so we put that north of Casino Pier and I think the areas work out pretty well," Maruca said.

The event was a concerted effort, added Maruca, who said much of the help came from places like Lucky Leo's with TD Bank bringing in many helpers and Casino Pier who also sent a group of people.

"It's really a lot a boardwalk businesses coming together and putting out a great day for the people to come and visit ." said Maruca.

 With a megaphone in hand Steve Whalen has been helping out at the event for almost 20 years.

"It's for the kids," said Whalen. "The kids come down and have a lot of fun."

Whalen, who was directing traffic at the 7-8 year olds' beach area, spoke about the event itself. "Sometimes we have a 5 year old with a 7 or 8 year old brother helping them out. It works out great and we have a gorgeous day today, and we guarantee that everyone comes out like a bandit," said Whalen.

Whalen said that the kids start to have the real fun with a four-hour scavenger hunt after the eggs have been collected. After they crack open their pastel colored prizes they can take the tickets inside to the matching boardwalk arcades and stores.

The event isn't the only Easter one that hosts. Next week is a Best Dressed Contest for Easter Sunday. To view more upcoming events please visit www.seasideheightstourism.com to see a full calendar of spring and summer events or call 1-800-732-7647.