Rowlett preps for massive annual Easter egg hunt and festival

There will be more than 20,000 treat-filled eggs.

Courtesy of the City of Rowlett

Children will fill the library lawn on Saturday, March 23, to hunt for some of the 20,000 treat-filled eggs being offered as part of the city's annual egg hunt event.

ROWLETT — It's almost time to start the hunt for eggs. The city of Rowlett will be spreading eggs along the lawn of the library as part of its annual egg hunt event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 23. The library is located at 4000 Main St.

"The event is intended to provide activities for families to come and make some memories," said Adam Richter, special events coordinator for the city of Rowlett.

The children will be divided into three groups to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to gather eggs -- babies to age 3, ages 4 to 6, and ages 7 to 10. There will be a separate egg hunt for children with special needs. They will also be divided into the same age groups.

"We divide the children into age groups to give the little kids a chance to get some of the eggs. If we didn't divide it up, the older kids would clean up with all the eggs," Richter said.

The event usually draws a large crowd to search for the 20,000 treat-filled eggs placed out by volunteers and parks and recreation employees.

"Half of the eggs will be filled with treats and the other half with prizes," Richter said.

The event will also have face painting, bounce houses and a DJ playing music. There will also be an opportunity to take photos with the Easter Bunny for a small fee.

"We will also have several vendor booths that will have some fun activities for the children to do as well," Richter said.

Photo courtesy of the city of Rowlett

The parks and recreation department will divide the participants in its annual egg hunt event to ensure each child has a fair chance to gather some of the eggs.

Parking for the event is available at Coyle Middle School, the Rowlett DART Station parking lot, Herfurth Park, and First Baptist Church on Main Street. Handicapped-accessible parking will be located in the Rowlett City Hall parking lot located at Skyline and Main.

Main Street and Coyle Street will be closed from Skyline Drive to Commerce from 8 a.m. until the conclusion of the event around 1 p.m.

"I would recommend people get to the event between 9:15 and 9:30 [a.m.] to avoid the rush of traffic," Richter said. "I would come in the back way and park at Coyle Middle School to avoid Main Street, since it will be closed."

Easter egg hunt times

0-3 Years: 10:30 a.m.
4-6 Years: 10:45 a.m.
7 years & up: 11 a.m.
Angel Kids: 11:15 a.m.

Four-legged fun

The city will offer an egg hunt for animal lovers and their pets from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, at Herfurth Park, 4601 Centennial Drive. The event will feature eggs filled with dog treats for the animals to hunt for.

All participants are required to show proof of a rabies vaccination for their animals. Dogs must also be on a leash. The cost is $10 per dog.