Mega Event of Different Sort at Heritage Park Today

Tiny Heritage Park is known for hosting some big events.

For three days each summer, the neighborhood green space is home to what many proudly call America's longest celebration of Independence Day with the three-day Heritage Fair.

Throughout the summer months, the park is a gathering place for Dundalk-Eastfield Recreation and Parks Council's summer concert series.

Each December, Santa Claus and his wife patiently visit with children who line up for hours waiting to tell the big guy their Christmas wishes.

On Saturday, a newer tradition continues with the second annual Mega Egga Hunt.

Angel Ball, property manager of Dunmanway Apartments, approached the rec council with the idea of starting the community egg hunt and received a positive response.

Last year's inaugural hunt had 500 eggs hidden, and this year's will have 6,000 colorful eggs stashed for kids from 0-99 to find, Ball said.

That's right—in addition to five kids' age groups, this year's hunt includes a time slot for hunters ages 18 and older.

"Why should adults be excluded from the fun?" Ball said. "We'll have a hunt for them and the kids get to see their parents running around acting crazy."

In just two years, Ball has created a community partnership that also includes Lifepointe Church, Dundalk American Legion Post 38, Dundalk Memorial VFW Post 6694 and many local businesses, including Mustang's Pizza, Filleti's, Papa Leone's, Costas Inn and Scoozi's.

Members of the Old Dundalk Neighborhood Association will lead a craft activity to keep hunters busy while they wait for their age group's hunt, according to Ball.

Even residents of Dunmanway Apartments contributed by stuffing about 5,000 eggs with little treats, Ball said.

"We're a senior citizen community, and our residents stuffed 5,000 eggs in one day," she said with a laugh. "I joked that we were running a senior sweat shop."

Lifepointe Church members stuffed additional eggs, which means the chances are good that no child—young or not so young—will go home empty-handed, Ball said.

The hunt organizer also said she has inside information that the Easter Bunny plans to make an appearance.

Event Details:

What: Mega Egga Hunt

Where: Heritage Park, Trading Place

When: Saturday, March 31

Times:

    9:30 a.m.       Registration
    10:30 a.m.     Ages 0-4
    10:45 a.m.     Ages 5-7
    11 a.m.          Ages 8-10
    11:15 a.m.     Ages 11-13
    11:30 a.m.     Ages 14-17
    11:45 a.m.     Ages 18-99+

Cost: Free to all