Egg hunters are undeterred by rain at the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta on March 30 at Stonehouse Park. Photo by Gail Bullen

RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Although rain fell as the Kiwanians set up for the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic at Stonehouse Park on March 30, they persevered because their event had been billed as “rain or shine.”  

Fortunately, the precipitation subsided to intermittent, light showers by the opening at 10 a.m. Despite the sprinkles not sparing two of the three egg hunts, the youngsters were undeterred.

 Youngsters line up to greet the Easter Bunny. The face behind the bunny suit was high school junior Brooke Blaisdell, the Rancho Murieta Key Club president. Photo by Gail Bullen

“The kids don’t care if they get wet,” explained Cookie Whalen. She organized the event, along with fellow Kiwanian Bronwyn Anthony 

One of the parents enjoying the celebration was Craig Pierson, who expressed his appreciation for the annual event.

“It brings families together for all the right reasons,” Pierson said.

 Aurie Sheets samples his cookie after decorating it at one of the craft booths. Photo by Gail Bullen

The highlight was the Easter Egg Hunt, which was divided into three age groups for kids ages 2 through 10.  It also featured photo ops with the Easter Bunny, Easter-themed crafts, a twisted balloon artist, two glitter tattooists, a Rancho Murieta Dance Company performance and refreshments featuring cotton candy, popcorn, juice and water.

The Central Office of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department sent a large contingent comprised of young Explorers, volunteers and deputies. Capt. Vanessa Vaden said they were impressed with the turnout as many youngsters frolicked in front of a department bubble machine.  

 Daniel Bailey, 3, is thrilled with his bounty after participating in an egg hunt. Photo by Gail Bullen

“Everyone was so engaged. We did a ton of fingerprinting,” Vaden said.

Firefighters from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also brought their fire trucks to the event and handed out stickers.

Rancho Murieta disc jockey Chris Perris provided the musical background and kept the event on track with timely announcements.

Another major component of the event was the Easter Bunny tossing her carrot in the air.

 Representatives from the Central Division of Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office are happy to pose for a picture. Photo courtesy Catherine Blaisdell

 “Brooke (Blaisdell) was a fabulous Easter Bunny. It’s a hard job for a teenager, Whalen said.

The event concluded with a performance by Murieta Dance Company. The Mini Competition Team dancing to  “J’dore Paris” was as cute as they could be, according to Whalen.

Three groups stuffed 4,500 plastic eggs before the event: the Rancho Murieta Girl Scouts, the K-Kids Club at Cosumnes River Elementary School and the Rancho Murieta Key Club. The 2- to 4-year-olds found stickers in their eggs but the older kids got candy. 

 Unable to grab bubbles out of the air, Peyton Santiago gets down low to snag them. Photo by Gail Bullen

Key Club members also helped out the day of the event by distributing the eggs before and between each hunt, collecting the emptied eggs and lending aid to the 20 Kiwanians staffing the event. Scouts from Troop 633 also helped with the setup and takedown. 

“We couldn’t do it without the volunteers,” Whalen said. “There are a lot of moving pieces but everyone shows up and pushes.”

Whalen also praised the Rancho Murieta Association Maintenance Department, which set up the tents and flags, cordoned off the areas and delivered all the chairs and tables.

“Those guys are unbelievable,” Whalen said. “When we had a little snafu with the electricity, they were right there to help.”

Whalen said she and Anthony began planning the event in January. Despite the weather somewhat dampening the attendance this year, “overall it went very well,” she said.  

 The Murieta Dance Company Mini Competition Team performs to ‘J’dore Paris.’ Photo by Gail Bullen