T-R FILE PHOTO — Marshalltown children scramble to collect Easter eggs during a previous egg hunt. This year, numerous egg hunts will be held, including one in water at the YMCA.

Small, colorful candy-filled containers of plastic will be found in bunches on Saturday and next weekend. Yes, the Easter Bunny has returned to Marshall County, and several egg hunts are scheduled.

A new version is coming this year – an egg hunt with a twist. The YMCA/YWCA, 108 Washington St., will have the eggs in the pool on April 18 at 5 p.m., giving children a chance to go swimming for their Easter bounty.

“We saw it at a different Y and thought it was a great opportunity to try it here,” said Andrew Potter, marketing and communications director for the Y.

Kids, ages 6 months to 12 years, can jump in the pool and grab the eggs floating on top of the water or go for the ones underwater.

“More than 1,000 eggs will be in the pool and for the older kids we will have some of them sinking below the surface,” he said.

Children between the ages of 6 months and 7 years old must have an adult present in the pool with them. According to Potter, participants will not be separated into different times by age groups, but added since parents will be with the younger children, there will naturally be space between older and younger.

Kids can then turn their collected eggs in for prizes, which are small toys and candy, and get pictures with the Easter Bunny.

“The eggs will be numbered and they will redeem their prize depending on what number they select,” Potter said. “We are also planning a big prize for the person who finds the ‘golden egg.'”

To participate in the event, registration must be completed at the front desk of the Y by April 17. There are 20 spots left, and Potter said if all the spots are taken before the deadline, registration will be closed.

“It’s very exciting and I really hope we can fill all 40 slots,” said Assistant Aquatics Director Amiaha Weatherly. Our Grinch Swim in the winter is popular, so it would be nice if we can have an Easter one that is popular too.”

Little Easter fans will have the opportunity to go to additional locations and scramble for more treat-filled eggs.:

SATURDAY

In Marshalltown:

• Mosaic Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, The Workshop., 11 N. First Ave.; 10 a.m.;

• Harmony Marshalltown, 910 E. Olive St.; 1 p.m.

Outside Marshalltown:

• State Center’s Easter Event. This takes place at various locations throughout the town, starting at 7 a.m. with breakfast at the State Center Fire Station, 109 E. Main St. which ends at 10 a.m. From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., there will be a vendor show at State Center City Hall, 118 E. Main St. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be at Brian’s Collision, 205 E. Main St., and Joan Postel Interstate Insurance, 213 E. Main St., from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The event culminates with an Easter egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 125 Second St. SE.;

• Le Grand Parks and Recreation Easter Egg Hunt, 206 N. Vine St. The event will kick off with an 8:30 a.m. breakfast which will last until 10:30 a.m.. From 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., there will be Easter Bunny photos, and the big egg hunt begins at 9:30 a.m.;

• Gilman Fire and Rescue Easter Egg Hunt, Gilman City Park, 101 S. Mill St.; 10 a.m. The hunt is for children who are in kindergarten through fifth grade;

• Melbourne Firemen’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt, 25 W. Main St.; 10 a.m.

APRIL 18

• Accura Healthcare of Marshalltown, 2401 S. Second St.; 1:30 p.m.

APRIL 19

In Marshalltown:

• Big House Ministries Easter Celebration, 110 N. Second St. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Afterward, the story of Easter will be told until 11:45 a.m. From noon to 1 p.m., there will be activities, inflatables and an egg hunt

Outside Marshalltown:

• Albion City Park, 100 E. Johnson St. A bake sale begins at 9 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. egg hunt;

• Garwin City Park, 600 Third St.; 9 a.m.;

• Gladbrook Young Women Hosts Egg Hunt, Gladbrook City Park, 409 Washington St.; 10 a.m. The Easter Bunny will hand out goody bags after the hunt is over. In case of rain, the hunt will be held at Gladbrook City Center, 319 Second St.;

• Treyton’s Place Annual Egg Hunt, 324 Marietta St., Rhodes; 1 p.m. Participating children will receive the same number of eggs and prizes.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.