DUANE SHERRILLEditor

Scores of children flocked to the Hands-On Science Center Saturday, not dissuaded by the cold rain on Easter-eve as they scooped up over 23,000 Easter Eggs with blinding speed during a trio of hunts.

The rain; however, did cause one change in the plans as the event was forced inside due to the persistent precipitation and temperatures that lingered below 50 for most of the day. Original plans were to have the hunts outside the main building on the campus of Hands-On Science Center.

The audible, which was announced by HOSC Director Sean Amidon via an online post leading up to the event, saw eggs – stuffed with candy and prizes – strewn inside the facility.

“We actually have 23,000 eggs rather than the 20,000 we had planned,” Amidon revealed, noting that attendance and demand made organizers break into their stash for next year’s hunt. “They go very quick.”

The event had three separate stages, beginning with the small toddlers and then moving on to those over six in the early afternoon before ending with the older children.