DOBBINS HEIGHTS — There were still Easter eggs to be found the day after the holiday in Dobbins Heights.

Over 50 children descended on the Dobbins Heights Community Park Monday in search of brilliantly colored hard-boiled eggs.

“This is a lot for my papa to cook,” remarked one child as he lugged a basket full of eggs.

The children, split up into different age groups and areas of the park, had the chance to find special eggs which came with cash prizes and were entered into a raffle for a bicycle. Following in an orderly fashion up to the starting line, the children at once became a stampede fanning out across the park. They combed through the grass and peered through the tunnels on the playground like over-sized telescopes looking for eggs in place of stars.

Michael Gibson, 9, wasn’t as excited as some of the others to find real eggs — he wanted candy. He only found three.

“I don’t even like eggs! I only eat the ones with candy in them,” Gibson griped. He debated just throwing them, but ended up sharing them with his friends.

The hunt ended with one of the special eggs not being found, and as soon as the DJ announced that there was still prizes to be won, Benjamin Wall, 8, dropped his food and ran behind the pool house with a mob of other kids all looking for the same thing. They checked the tall tufts of grass along the fence around the pool, the corner of the building, but no luck.

There were about seven other children hanging around in the same area having seemingly given up, but Wall found the last egg tucked under a bush that was too obvious for the others to check.

“He has really enjoyed it,” said Benjamin’s mother, Olivia Watkins of Rockingham. “We’ll definitely be back next year.”

Before the hunt, the children got to meet Dobbins Heights Community Center Event Coordinator Sumaya Webster’s pet rabbit, Magic. The children also received an education on the true meaning of Easter, reminding them that the holiday doesn’t really have anything to do with rabbits and eggs.

“You may go through trials and tribulations but you must know that you have a risen Savior,” said Pastor Linda Ross with Faith Assembly Outreach Ministries. Webster said the early morning festivities were an effort to provide a safe environment for the children to have fun in their community.

Town Council member Angeline David noted that the backbone of Dobbins Heights’ Easter Egg Hunt for at least the last six years, though her involvement long predates that, Gracie Jackson, is sick and was unable to participate this year.

“We appreciate her work for carrying it on as long as possible,” David said.

Ross said the event reminded her of the block parties that used to be common place years ago.

“It’s a great opportunity for fellowship,” she said. “It shows how our community can come together.”

Gavin Stone | Daily Journal Benjamin Wall, 8, found the special egg worth a cash prize after the other children had given up searching for it Monday at the Easter Egg Hunt in the Dobbins Heights Community Park.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_IMG_9602.jpgGavin Stone | Daily Journal Benjamin Wall, 8, found the special egg worth a cash prize after the other children had given up searching for it Monday at the Easter Egg Hunt in the Dobbins Heights Community Park.

Gavin Stone | Daily Journal Joshua Ingram, 4, shows off the eggs he found at the Easter Egg Hunt held in the Dobbins Heights Community Park on Monday.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_IMG_9573.jpgGavin Stone | Daily Journal Joshua Ingram, 4, shows off the eggs he found at the Easter Egg Hunt held in the Dobbins Heights Community Park on Monday.

Gavin Stone | Daily Journal More than 50 children participated in a joyous Easter Egg Hunt in the Dobbins Heights Community Park on Monday.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_IMG_9589.jpgGavin Stone | Daily Journal More than 50 children participated in a joyous Easter Egg Hunt in the Dobbins Heights Community Park on Monday.
Children search for Easter eggs

Gavin Stone

Editor

Reach Gavin Stone at 910-817-2674 or [email protected].