The Newburgh Armory Unity Center, in collaboration with the City of Newburgh Recreation Department, welcomed Newburgh children and their families to the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 1. An estimated 25,000 eggs were distributed over the course of the early morning hunt.

The previous year, the city welcomed the egg hunt after a several year hiatus due to COVID; and similar to last year, the hunt started with some rainfall in the morning but with having it indoors, families were able to enjoy the morning with each other. As families gathered into the main field area where the hunt would take place, the words “We Are Newburgh” served as a centerpiece for the egg collection. Members and volunteers for the city rec department helped distribute the eggs onto the field while children with their parents lined the netting and prepared in the entryways onto the field. Local organizations such as Healthfirst and NAACP had tables prepared with information and resources available for distribution throughout the morning.

As the time drew closer for the hunt to begin, Alexander Bolorin, with megaphone in hand, announced the rules and instructions to the families as they prepared to enter onto the field. Children five years and younger would begin the hunt first followed by children six and older. After the eggs were collected, families would be able to make their way onto a field at the back end of the complex to take several pictures with the Easter Bunny. Peter Ramon helped direct the children and families.

With a formal countdown, Bolorin announced the first group to enter onto the field and in a matter of minutes, several bags of eggs were filled by children. More and more bags were available to the families who collected as many eggs as they could. Some eggs even featured several pieces of candy. After the first round and several more eggs distributed, the older children made their way to the field and collected eggs as fast as they could. Some put eggs into their pockets and hoodies as they went around the field.

Bolorin was grateful to see the turnout at the event and was even more excited for the children to have a safe and fun place to enjoy time with their families. “If we can put a smile on their face for 10 minutes, we’ve done something good for them, because it’s really all about the kids. I know, it sounds cliche, but really, ultimately, it’s really about the kids and ensuring that they have a good time. This is a unity center, what better place to have something where we can unite the kids for a good time,” said Bolorin. “There’s more good in Newburgh than bad. We often hear that so much bad comes out of it but there’s more good. And there’s a whole bunch good coming out of Newburgh in the future and that’s why we do this.”

Maritza Wilson of the City Recreation Department also shared the same sentiments with Bolorin and was happy for the success of the event. “I’m just happy that everything turned out well, I love the collaboration with the Armory,” said Wilson. “It’s always the love that the community embraces what we do. So the same way they impact me, I continue to impact their lives.”

Councilman Bob Sklarz, who made a guest appearance at the hunt and helped distribute eggs was very happy to see the turnout. “I’m just smiling like these kids are out there. This is a real community event, a community of people putting it together. Somebody said it was 25,000 eggs put together,” said Sklarz.

“The city rec department did a tremendous amount of work and all the volunteers who always show up for these events make it a success.”