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Posted on Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.

Images from Ann Arbor Jaycees Spring Eggstravaganza

By Angela Cesere

Children of all ages were in eggxcellent spirits on Saturday as they gathered at Southeast Area Park in Pittsfield Township for the Ann Arbor Jaycees Spring Eggstravaganza. Photographer Angela Cesere captured these images.

Comments

almightydanish

Mon, Apr 9, 2012 : 1:47 p.m.

I went to this event for the first (and last) time this year. My two-year-old was very excited to participate. She woke up with joy that morning and walked around the house saying "easter egg hunt" until we left. We pre-registered and arrived early to get parking and a spot in the hunt. When it was time to begin, she was pushed and blocked out by older kids (why were they in the 0-3 section?) and parents. She looked confused and horrified (keep in mind, she's a very active 2-year-old and loves to run and jump and play outside, so there's no shy issue here). I picked her up and tried to get her in the scrum so she could get some eggs. Instead, I saw parents lunging for eggs for their children. Shame on them. When the dust settled and all the eggs were gone, my daughter was left looking in an empty field for eggs. Another parent, seeing this (and whose child only managed to get three herself), gave my daughter one egg so she could say she found something. I wish I knew who that parent was, because I'd thank them profusely. It's sad that some greedy parents ruined this event. They truly lost sight on what it was all about - the kids. At least my daughter got to play in the fire truck as she loves them.

Ed Verhamme

Tue, Apr 10, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.

almightydanish, I am sorry to hear that your experience wasn't totally positive at this event. We also recognized that the scrambles were crowded and for the second one we doubled the area for subsequent scrambles that day. We will defintely take your suggestions to heart and find a more suitable location with better parking and clearly defined areas that further seperate the areas by age. Please contact community@a2jaycees.org if you have any other concerns and I encourage you to come back next year.

Ed Verhamme

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.

Are the photos showing up for anyone else? I can't see any of the photos from this event.

SueFo64

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.

I can't see them either.

SueFo64

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.

As someone who attended this event and as someone familiar with the organization hosting it, I think Nickname should take a deep breath and realize what this event was truly about. The children. First point, this organization is and has been extremely supportive of the community and has always been a positive example of being charitable. This event was FREE to the public. Donations were accepted, but those funds were being donated to the American Cancer Society. Secondly the event ended at 1pm. If they were there at 2pm, clearly the volunteers assisting the organization (face painters, balloon artists, etc) were there long after their expectations and had the right to leave. Lastly, it was the first time this event was held in this park (previously held in Buhr / Veteran's park) and they were overwhelmed by the attendance - over double of their expectations or previous attendance. I would hope a parent would be able to gauge the line and the speed at which it is moving. If the line is very long, I would hope that parent would explain in a calm and reasonable manner to the child that perhaps they wouldn't get a balloon today. If the child still insisted, Meijer's is just down the street. They probably could have gotten one with helium that would have thrilled the child more. I think we should be thankful there are organizations within our community that are willing to plan events like this that are open to the public and understand that there are always lessons to be learn from each event.

Nickname

Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 11:58 p.m.

ok. let me remove that word and restate my comments. i am a minor myself, i am not talking about anything related to racial or what ever, but how we were annoyed during the whole process. i don't understand why my comments can not stay here. are you only welcome the praises but not the truth??? My child and myself was made extremely unhappy during this event. We waited for the balloon distribution for over two hours (which prevented us going from all other events and lunch!) and were finally told that they are over. They could totally have told us before we even line-up! My child insisted on waiting until getting a balloon. But a organizer woman told us we are not going to get one no matter what and this is their 'policy'. We offered to pay $20 for a single balloon and waited there until 2:00pm (child insisted) and the woman just laughed at us and said we would have to pay $75 for that. This is totally against the spirit of the event that they actually make children unhappy and enjoy the process! I hope they could get some condemn of conscience. Let me tell you that if you do not want to have a terrible easter, never ever go to that event again. we are so regret that we passed that road and saw the thing and went there.

thecompound

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.

Split on this one. On the one hand, this might have been a good learning experience for insistent child (and apparently parent) that "you can't always get want you want". Starting a bad habit. On the other hand, it is very frustrating to be around people who seem to take glee in making others miserable because something is "against policy" or because the person doesn't want to be at their job.

BobbyTarsus

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 2:42 a.m.

I think he meant 'minority'.

lynel

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.

Something is still wrong here. You are a minor and have a child that insisted you wait in line for 2 hours for a balloon and then you offered to pay $20.00 for one. Which minor is in charge?

AAW

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.

better!!

huh7891

Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 11:45 p.m.

Really Ann Arbor.com?? Why was the post by Nickname allowed to stay up...check the language and the racial tone.....Cmon the event was for children and you allow a post with the F word to remain......and I don't care if the lady they referred to was purple..the post has racial undertones

AAW

Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.

I am sure this was a great gift for the children of Ann Arbor. But the traffic was unsafe and the music was so loud my window rattled in my townhouse. Maybe they could have pointed the speakers away from the residential area.

TNB

Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 2:33 p.m.

@AAW: Get off my lawn! (In my best, Clint Eastwood voice)

zanzerbar

Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.

What?

zanzerbar

Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.

@AAW _ ba humbug...it's only for a few hours , (one day a year) let the kids have a little fun. You'll get over it.