BURRILLVILLE – From an oversized furry creature with the pink and white ears to a field filled with colorful eggs, local families finally had a chance to enjoy some free community Easter fun on Friday, as mild weather allowed a twice-delayed event to go on as planned.
“It’s a beautiful day and people are really enjoying it,” said volunteer Amanda Arnold of North Smithfield, describing the annual event sponsored by Burrillville Parks & Recreation Department at Branch River Park, adjacent to the Burrillville Middle School.
Unlike last year’s bitter cold on the family fun day, the weather on this past Friday was mild, at 60 degrees and sunny, and despite the rain delays that caused the egg hunt to be twice postponed, the event went off apparently perfectly, according to a local mom.
Erica Drainville was holding her nine month old baby Remi.
“They look forward to it every year,” she said of her two other youngsters in tow, Greyson, age seven, and Elliot, age four.
“She had fun,” said local Amanda Titus of her eight and a half year old youngster Fynley. “We come every year.”
Nico, age two, “got a chance to get some eggs,” which pleased the toddler, said his mom Stephanie Corrso of Lincoln, who added they attended the event the previous year as well.
”I had brought my kids in the 1990s, and am now I’m bringing the grandkids,” said local Cynthia Tatro who was maintaining the family tradition. Chase, age eight, Riley, age eight, and Miya age three, had a good time. “I think it’s wonderful to see the smiles on the kids’s faces—all the kids. It’s worth coming to.”
“It was great. Lots of fun,” said Kathy Mussulli who was at the field with daughter-in-law Lauren Mussulli, as well as Anthony and Eloise, both age one, and Cecilia, age three.
“We have been coming to this the past three years. We love it; it’s so much fun,” said Lauren Mussulli the mother of the three children. “They set up two separate areas for the different age groups. It all went smoothly. And perfect weather,”
“It’s a beautiful family event,” said Erica Desmarais of North Smithfield.
“It was a good experience,” agreed Kayla Mandeville, as the two women posed with the children and the Easter Bunny. “A well-organized event, and it was separated by age groups zero to four and five to eight.”
The children, Morgan, age three and a half, and Zoey, age four, looked pleased as they visited with the 7-foot plus furry character.
The Easter egg hunt was “great, wonderful, and the kids had a blast,” said local Christine Barbour. “The eggs disappeared fast.”
Jonah, age two, Norah, age six, and Genevieve, age eight, got to find their fair share of the eggs, filled with goodies such as candy. The event was “awesome,” said Samantha Ullmann, also with the group. She liked that the egg hunt was “put on for free, and it was fun.”
One local father, Korey Hodnett, said he thought the event was excellent, and was also pleased that it was free. His little one, Karsyn, age one and a half, said “yah!”–apparently agreeing with his dad.
The event soon came to a close, with the Easter Bunny hopped along to return again next year.
