Simon Bazelon Photo
The sixth annual Newhallville Easter Egg Hunt took place in Lincoln-Bassett Park on Saturday. Hundreds of people from the area gathered to eat hot dogs, gather chocolate, and just enjoy the warm weekend weather.
Organized by local community groups and citizen leaders like Kim Little, the Easter Egg Hunt was an indisputably joyful affair.
Most participants arrived at around 1 p.m., and the children were released from behind the starting line a half hour later. In between, hot dogs, chips, cupcakes, and beverages were served, as Justin Bieber and Biggie Smalls played in the background. Maurice Little (pictured above) prepared the hot dogs.
The prizes scattered on the grass weren’t just chocolate: they included basketballs, footballs, jump ropes, pinwheels, stuffed animals, and hula hoops. Carlos, Jermaine, Jeremiah and Brandon (pictured above, from left) all said that they were “going for a basketball,” though in the end it was only Carlos who emerged victorious in his quest.
One girl, Madison, said that her goal was to gather “100 eggs.”
Tauheed Harvey was so excited that he tried to get a head start on the competition, ducking under the ribbon designating the starting line and grabbing some candy several minutes early.
After most of the chocolate had been scoured away, a different attraction emerged, as a fire truck pulled up, and the kids admired the inside.
The firefighters gave out plastic “Junior Firefighter” hats, which were a huge hit.
After the mad dash for the prizes and the mobbing of the firetruck had subsided, kids moved towards the playground and basketball court, or played games on the field. Marquise and Kamal (pictured above) played tag.
Street outreach worker William “Juneboy” Outlaw, at center in the above photo, said that “events like this help bring the Newhallville community together, and help us get away from the negative stigma, showing that Newhallville is a great neighborhood to move to, to raise kids in.” Promoting that community spirit, he said, helps lower crime rates and make the area a better place.
Brandon, 7, said that he was just happy to grab some candy and have some fun. When asked if he’d be at next years edition of this Newhallville spring staple he replied: “Of course I will!”