A little drizzle did not keep Issaquah Highlands families from enjoying this year’s Egg Hunt festivities! Hosted at Blakely Hall and the Village Green on April 11, over 1,000 people, (mostly children) scooped up over 7,000 stuffed
plastic eggs over the course of three age specific hunts! The event began at 10am and there was plenty to do while waiting between egg hunts. The Issaquah High School Jazz Band and Icon Church volunteer musicians kept the crowd energy high on the damp and cloudy day with great music. Other activities included a visit and picture with the Easter Bunny, (played for the third year in a row by IHS student and resident, Alec Jacobs), face painting, coloring table, carnival games, and giant inflatable slide and bounce house. The big hit of the day and new this year, was the farm animal petting zoo!
The event was closed by a lovely ballet exhibition inside Blakely Hall. Local MK Ballet Studio dancers performed to a standing room only crowd. Every child was mesmerized by the beauty of the costumes and graceful dances. “I know every little girl was tugging on their daddy’s sleeve and saying ‘I want to do that too daddy!’”, said Pastor Paul Dean of Alathia Community Church. Pastor Barry Odom of Mosaic Church was the emcee for the event. Barry awarded the Annual Coloring Contest winners from three age specific drawings. The winners are: 0-PreK: Miranda Schafer, K-2nd: Ang Pima Chin, 3rd-5th: Anna Gretchen Robertson. Winners can pick up their prize at Blakely Hall during normal business hours by May 15.
Port Blakely Communities, Highlands Council, and local business sponsors, Accent Insurance, and John Thompson Real Estate provided the financial resources to get the event into production. Ticket sales covered the remaining
costs with all proceeds benefiting Eastside Baby Corner (www.babycorner.org). No homeowner dues were applied to the production of this community event and of course, the event was 100% volunteer run!
Alathia Community Church, Icon Church, and Mosaic Church wish to thank everyone for volunteering, including members of the respective congregations, community members, and most importantly, the hardworking students
from Skyline High School, Issaquah High School, Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus, and Issaquah Middle School! “All of the students had a great time while working very hard to keep the event on schedule and maintain a safe environment.” Volunteer and Event Coordinator, Christy Garrard also adds, “Most of the students arrived at 7am to help set up and were the last to leave at the end of the day; we could not have done it without their help!”
The churches are also grateful to the residents who donated candy and toy prizes for the egg hunt and to Clif Bar for donating 1,000 Clif bars for free giveaways. Special thanks to Wyldlife, a middle school branch of Young Life, for hosting the concessions for the event. Everyone enjoyed the Krispy Kreme donuts, hot coffee and hot chocolate.
The Egg Hunt festivities ended at noon for the elementary set but Blakely Hall and Village Green came alive again after sunset when Wyldlife hosted a middle school flashlight egg hunt for over 100 area students! This event was another great example of the success of the urban village development concept. Residents, their friends, and family enjoying the holiday in the park, just steps from their front doors.
