To celebrate the spring season, Menlo Park hosted a festival and Easter egg hunt on Saturday. Families gathered at Burgess Park to participate in Easter-themed games, arts and crafts, and other interactive activities.
The event kicked off at 10 a.m. with the opening of entertaining booths. At the arts and crafts tent, kids made dot artwork, painted watercolor flowers, and sculpted clay figurines. Other stands included the fire department, where children could take a ride in a historic firetruck named “Old Tom” and explore the inside of an ambulance.
“It’s public service. [We’re] just out here, supporting the community in Menlo Park, bringing the families together, and just really showing support for the community and what we provide for them,” Menlo Park Fire Protection District Officer Mitch Goo said.
The most exciting feature of the celebration was a petting zoo, with a long line of community members eager to interact with the animals. Kids and parents alike gathered to enjoy a close-up look at miniature pigs, goats, bunnies, and roosters.
“Seeing the community get together, everybody is just having a good time. And my kids are having a blast. Overall, it’s just a family friendly event that I really enjoy,” community member Frank Contreras said.
These event stands preceded the true main event: the Easter egg hunts. In a fenced area in the middle of the park, separate rounds of egg hunts occurred for various age groups every 15 to 30 minutes. Kids lined up in anticipation as they watched event organizers distribute thousands of plastic eggs filled with candy and toys.
“It is wonderful. It is the best egg hunt I’ve ever seen,” community member Tisha Szweda said.
The entire event was full of activities and treats for all ages to enjoy. Across the park, there were stations where people could win candy, grab food, and enjoy desserts from ice cream trucks. Alongside food and crafts, there were also bouncy houses, bubbles, corn hole, and balloon artists providing free entertainment and spreading playfulness.
In order to create a welcoming environment for all, the event offered a special sensory egg hunt with fewer crowds for shy children or kids with different needs. Located inside a nearby building, the inclusive offering was filled with joyous kids playing with balloons and blocks, as well as many eggs containing candy for them to find.
“I am really just a big fan of inclusive events. I don’t want anyone to feel left out, and so I’m happy that I can be a part of including everyone. That’s really special,” M-A alum and volunteer Kahdijah Ali ‘10 said.
The festival brought community members together to celebrate a sunny day and have a fun time, whether or not families were celebrating Easter. Whole families took part in the festivities and joy, participating in an overwhelmingly popular Spring Festival.
“Just seeing the kids and families enjoying themselves is really nice. It builds community. People get out here in the sun, they have fun, they meet their neighbors,” event speaker Nick Szegda said.
