Hundreds of local families gathered on the lawn outside the DuBois Fort Visitor’s Center on Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz on Saturday, April 13 to participate in the annual Easter egg hunt. The event, organized through the New Paltz Youth Program and in cooperation with the New Paltz Police Department, operates like a well-oiled machine. Huguenot Street is shut down to traffic for the duration of the event, which gives parents a safe environment to take their kids out for a little egg-hunting fun, and Youth Program Director Jim Tinger and his squadron of teen volunteers keep everything moving and everyone happy.
Activities included a bouncy house, a coloring table set up with crayons and coloring books, chalk for sidewalk sketching and, of course, there was the ever-popular face painting. Dr. Himank Gupta from Ariel Dental handed out toothbrushes, dental floss and other goodies and DJ Jay Smooth was spinning the tunes.
Five thousand eggs filled with candy and stickers were hidden in separate grassy areas roped off in four age categories for kids ages one through 12. Certain random eggs had special prizes. The Easter Bunny, who arrived at Huguenot Street by firetruck at 1 p.m., stood amidst the eager egg-hunters watching them capture their goods.
“I want to thank everyone who came out and supported our 32nd annual Easter egg hunt, “ said Tinger. “We had great weather and approximately 500 people celebrating our annual tradition of grabbing 5,000 eggs, finding the hidden gold and silver eggs and collecting over 100 prizes in all. Thanks to all of our sponsors: New Paltz Police Department, fire department, rescue squad, ShopRite, Dr. Gumpta from Ariel Dental, SUNY New Paltz, Historic Huguenot Street for providing the beautiful locale and, of course, the staff and over 50 volunteers from the New Paltz Youth Program. Save the date, the egg hunt for next year will be on Saturday, April 4. See you then and thanks for your support.”
Join the family! 
