Park board seeking donations for egg hunt

The Italy Park Board is seeking donations of plastic eggs and candy for the Mayor’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
 
The board voted Tuesday evening to hold the annual hunt Saturday, April 23, at Upchurch Field. The event will start at 10 a.m.
 
Since there is no budget for this event, the board is seeking donations from the public through April 8.
 
Ronda Cockerham, assistant city secretary, said the change of location was due to several factors: the area is larger, fenced in and in an area that would be easier to control the kids.
 
The age groups will be broken into four groups – toddlers through two-year-olds, three- and four-year-olds, kindergarten through second graders and third and fourth graders.
 
The group needs volunteers to assist filling the eggs and working the day of the event. They agreed to approach area youth to assist who need to fulfill community service requirements.
 
The board also discussed the pros and cons of the Christmas festival.
 
Mayor Frank Jackson told board members, “You did a great job during the Christmas festival. It’s the best one we’ve had.”
 
There were some hiccups along the way — citizens trying to claim two prizes and parade entries getting out of order. Members said vendors seemed pleased with their sales. Cockerham said there were more than 40 parade entries.
 
Micki Bland, events and fundraising chair for the IYAA, told park board members about an upcoming carnival fundraiser. The IYAA plans to raise $16,000 for uniforms and helmets.
 
The event, tentatively scheduled May 21, will be at Upchurch Field and will include rides and food booths. A street dance will follow.
 
She was seeking any assistance the park board could give the group.
 
The park board’s next meeting is set for Tuesday, April 5.