BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Norissa Lockhart, 3, of South Lake Tahoe, finds her first egg during her first Easter Egg hunt during the Great Virginia City Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at Miner's Park.
Saturday morning, Jillian Martinez's focus wasn't on the giant furry rabbit walking around Miner's Park, it was on getting some of the eggs scattered about.
Two-year-old Martinez came up from Reno to take part in the annual Virginia City Easter Egg Hunt and Mad Hatter's Parade.
It took the children less than seven minutes to snatch up the 700 eggs hidden in the park, including 200 plastic eggs containing coupons and candy donated by local businesses. The hunt was followed by the Mad Hatter's Easter Parade along C Street.
"It's a resounding success. The park is crowded and a Happy Easter Eve was had by all the kids," said Cathylee James, Virginia City Chamber of Commerce member.
After collecting six eggs, Martinez said her favorite part was the Easter Bunny.
"He likes to bring me candy," she said. "He's magic."
It was Norissa Lockhart's first try at egg hunting in Virginia City. The 3-year-old collected 11 eggs, although her mom admitted most of them were donated by older children.
While the children in Virginia City were hunting for eggs, volunteers in Carson City were making sure there would be enough eggs for the Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday at Governor's Field.
"This is the beginning of the end (of the preparation). We had so many people volunteer that we are way ahead of schedule," said club president James Hamtak.
The cooking, dyeing and sorting of the eggs, which usually takes all day, was completed before noon because of the help.
The eggs were cooked and dyed in batches of about 250 using 10 large propane burners brought by volunteers and the Nevada National Guard.
This year's prizes include 11 bicycles, numerous stuffed animals and coupons from local restaurants and businesses.
Charles Keller, who has volunteered at the hunt for the last 15 years, said he will keep doing it for the children.
"It gives them a chance for a family day with some prizes and a chance for a little competition. It's just a fun day for everyone," Keller said.
Three-year-old Claire Harmon came out to watch her mom dye eggs and said she was looking forward to Easter for one specific reason.
"I like the candy," Harmon said. "And the Easter Bunny too."
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.