SPONSORS KEEP EASTER EGG HUNTS ALIVE IN AREA

It is difficult to hatch a sizable Easter egg hunt these days without sponsors.

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, Schnucks and Parkview State School found sponsors to pick up the tab for their respective hunts this year.

However, Shop 'n Save didn't find a sponsor and will pass on one of the rites of spring. Shop 'n Save manager Mike Recer said lack of sponsors caused the store to cancel the event the last two years.

"It takes a lot of sponsors to provide the plastic eggs, candy and prizes," said Jeff Thurman of the Cape Parks and Recreation Department. Registration forms for the seventh annual Easter egg hunt are at Arena Park.

Burger King, Taco John's, Fun Flicks, K103-FM and Mr. Bulky are sponsoring the Easter Egg hunt for the Parks and Recreation Department. Participants will have 30-45 minutes to hunt.

Thurman has spent nearly a month organizing this Saturday's Easter egg hunt, scheduled for 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Capaha Park.

Children 4 years of age and younger will hunt for eggs at 10 a.m. and 5-10 years of age will comb the grounds at 11:30 a.m.

Anyone who holds an Easter egg hunt usually gets plenty of participants. "Last year it rained and we still got 350 kids to come out," Thurmon said. "This year we're hoping to get about 500."

Schnucks manager Dennis Marchi said he expects about 1,000 children to participate in the hunt, which will take place on the grassy area next to the store.

"We're doing different age groups this year to make sure the same-age kids are hunting together," Marchi said. "It's a lot of fun for the kids and their families."

KBSI and Pepsi are sponsoring Schuncks' Easter Egg hunt, which is scheduled for April 15. Children 2-4 will embark on their hunt at 9 a.m.; those 5-7 will begin at 9:30 a.m. and children 7-10 will start at 10 a.m.

"They'll find a lot of just about everything," Marchi said. "We'll have plastic eggs, candy, free gifts and coloring books. All the children need to bring are baskets."

The Parkview School will hold its Easter egg hunt April 14 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will sponsor the hunt, which will attract 32 participants enrolled in the school.

"We'll have some plastic eggs with candy in them and some real eggs," Kathleen Keesee, one of the organizers of the hunt, said.