Columbia gets moving during annual Egg Hunt (+ video)

Sunshine, music, games – and a visit from a human-sized bunny – made for the perfect atmosphere for frolicking at Columbia’s Finlay Park Friday afternoon.

Some 2,000 youngsters and parents in tow converged on the park for the city’s annual Let’s Move Easter Egg Hunt. The event is part of the Columbia’s Let’s Move initiative designed to encourage physical activity while providing outlets for youngsters and others to keep physically fit.

“It’s just a wonderful time of year to get together,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, who hosted the activitity with his wife DeAndrea and their children along with council member Tameika Isaac Devine.

In keeping with the Let’s Move theme, the afternoon began with a series of group “Eggs”ercises” as the crowd was led through a series of routines to a backdrop of music. From there the young ones dashed off to claim their places for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Ok, about that. It was a little more like an Easter Egg scramble.

There was a wee bit of confusion surrounding the starting signal that gave some participants a head start on the 4,000 plastic eggs up for grabs and left a few others disappointed. But the minor hitch didn’t cast a shadow on the entire afternoon as visitors helped themselves to various other entertainment stations that included a face painting booth, a bounce house, exhibitors, refreshments and more.

Justin Chapman of Lexington came out Friday with his wife Alana, 10-year-old son Devonte, 5-year-old daughter Aniyah and the family’s two pet dogs. Chapman said he was grateful the city had provided a free outlet for family entertainment.

“I think it keeps kids out of places they shouldn’t be,” he said. “It keeps their minds active.”

Tawanna Jackson of Elgin has visited the park often but came out to the Egg Hunt Friday for the first time with her daughters Andreas and Maya. “I think we need more things like this,” she said.

The afternoon provided a perfect bookend for many area students who have been on spring break from school this week.

Benjamin said the participation was evidence of the community’s desire for more family friendly gatherings. “It tells me that we are genuinely good people, that we are a caring people and we can celebrate – all and stay healthy at the same time.”

This story was originally published April 3, 2015 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Columbia gets moving during annual Egg Hunt (+ video)."