By Wade Littleton

Tribune Staff Writer

The Great Lawn at Fulton-Hill Park held court for the Easter Bunny and friends Tuesday.

Morristown’s newest park hosted a successful run of a Lakeway Area tradition, the Eggsellent Adventure, hosted by the Morristown Parks and Recreation Department.

“We could not have asked for a better day for the Easter Eggsellent Adventure; it is our first special event outdoors for the season, and it was amazing,” Morristown Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator Jennifer Gentry said. “The crowd was wonderful and we got to showcase the new pavilion at Fulton-Hill. I enjoy doing events here; we have such a beautiful green space and it’s so open and welcoming.

Tuesday’s event had perfect weather, attracting 440 children, their siblings and friends from all walks of life to the Great Lawn, where three Easter Egg hunts took place at different times for different ages. Cards to the Easter Village were color-coded by age to help coordinate participants in the hunts.

There was an overall attendance of 1,375, Gentry said.

Winds kicked up somewhat at times, but for the most part, festival goers and participants alike seemed to have a good time.

Gentry explained the process for those participating in the event.

“Everyone who registered received eggs,” Gentry said. “Ages 2–4-year-olds received eggs from the vendors set up in the Easter Village. Ages 5-6, 7-9 and 10-12 had designated times, and 2,000 eggs per age category were hidden (scattered across The Great Lawn). They would line up and when given the word ‘Go,’ they raced around the designated area to collect the eggs. Walmart Neighborhood Market donated eggs filled with candy for ages 13-17. It was more of a glow in the dusk instead of glow in the dark hunt, but they still enjoyed it greatly.”

Abby, a mother from Morristown who grew up in Eastern Kentucky, had her three children, ages 2, 10 and 13 at The Great Lawn where all were having fun.

“We’ve been here about 10 years,” Abby said. “I love that this event is family-friendly. It’s a place for the kids to come out and have a good time. We’ve adopted this as a family tradition.”

The children were busy taking chalk and Easter art kits they received from one of the local businesses and drawing on the sidewalk.

This year’s hunt had an Easter Village where local businesses hosted booths giving candy and other goodies away to children.

In addition to the three egg hunts, children ages 2-4 received their eggs through the Easter Village.

As always, the Easter Bunny made an appearance for pictures and memories with children and their families.

Morristown’s First Fire Truck was a popular stop for Egg Hunters who wanted to make memories.

“We’ve been working on this truck since 2010,” Darrell Hodge of Morristown Fire Department said. “We got it out of the woods (at Cherokee Park) in 2011.

Morristown’s First Fire Truck’s continuing restoration efforts continues through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. It’s a crowd-pleaser at events involving the fire department.

“Seems like every time we tried to get that truck from the park, it would keep rolling towards Cherokee Lake,” Hodge said of the recovery efforts in 2011.

Some children were seen rolling down the banks at the park during the activities.

Gentry considered all children winners with the event.

“All the eggs are filled, and the vendors give them goodies as well. We do not count eggs after each hunt,” she said.

Gentry was appreciative to all who participated.

“I am grateful to live in a community who gathers and supports our programs,” Gentry said. “We had 15 vendors who had goodies for each child. MB&R Contractors sponsored the Easter Bunny; and First Fire Truck is always Happy to escort him. I have wonderful volunteers and maintenance who help me set up, assist with parking, keep the area clean, and then pack it up afterwards. Morristown City Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works, EMA, Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and C&C Golf Carts all played a significant role in safety, transportation and I’m honored to have a great working relationship with each one.

“To continue the season of special events, I have to Thank SEI Waste for being our Diamond Sponsor; these contributions assist in all the fun of each event,” Gentry said.

Vendors for the event included the Hamblen County Health Department, TVA Federal Credit Union, Morristown’s First Fire Truck, Gutters and More, Family Fun Zone, Advance America, Texas Roadhouse, ORNL Federal Credit Union, , Aztec Bail Bonds, All Ways Caring Home Care, B’s Athletics, Express Employment, Sandra Academy of Salon Services, Crazy Momma’s Glitter Tattoos, Scouting America, Crave and Snowie Lakeway.

During a recent event by the Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society, Cookies with the Easter Bunny had cookies and Décor donated by Food City 602.