Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

Children spread across Moberly Park on April 4 as the Kiwanis Club of Trenton hosted its annual community Easter egg hunt, continuing a tradition that organizer Kara Helmandollar said has been part of the community for at least 50 to 60 years.

The hunt began at 10 a.m. and featured three age groups, with children eagerly gathering eggs and filling their baskets as quickly as possible. Many of the children were also excited to see the Trenton Mascot’s Easter Bunny during the event.

Despite chilly weather, attendance remained strong and was comparable to past years. Helmandollar estimated about 120 children attended this year’s hunt, with typical participation usually ranging from 125 to 150 children.

Around 25 volunteers started setting up around 8 in the morning with over 2,600 eggs were spread across the park for the event. However the eggs filled with candy and prizes had all been claimed within 5 minutes of the start of the event.

The community egg hunt has changed hands several times over the decades. Helmandollar said the event was once run by the Jaycees, a local service organization that is no longer active, and later by the Chamber of Commerce. About 10 years ago, the Kiwanis Club took over responsibility for the event.

Kiwanis members also partner with the Key Club and Mascots at Trenton High School and invite EMS, Police and Fire Personnel to attend, which gives kids the opportunity to connect with service workers in a fun environment.

Each age group also had a grand prize winner, with Easter baskets awarded as special prizes in addition to the eggs collected during the hunt.

The event’s long history and continued community support helped make this year’s egg hunt another successful spring tradition in Trenton.