By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Pelham Parks and Recreation is set to host one of its flagship events on Tuesday, April 15 at the Pelham City Park football field.

A Very Special Easter Egg Hunt will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is designed for Pelham individuals with disabilities and their families, providing a fun and inclusive Easter celebration for all ages.

Alicia Walters, the assistant director of Pelham Parks and Recreation, provided some background on the inspiration behind the event, now in its fifth year.

“I am a recreational therapist and love working with children with disabilities,” Walters said. “We also know there are not a lot of events available for families with a child with a disability, and we want to serve everyone in our community.”

Walters added that the event is something she looks forward to every year and that there is intentional planning behind the event and its setup.

“This is one of my favorite events,” Walters said. “We have intentionally kept this event smaller so we can focus on our families. Our goal is to make each participant feel special and have the best time.”

The event offers various activities and amenities for participants and their families.

“At this event we host a huge Easter egg hunt,” Walters said. “We have lots of golden eggs and every child with a disability receives a special prize. All of our eggs have toys in them and not candy since many of the kids might have swallowing precautions or allergies. We have balloons tied to several eggs so if someone has mobile issues they can grab the egg and not have to bend down. We offer face paint, games, craft, a cake walk and more.”

The event also features a special appearance from the Easter holiday’s trademark mascot.

“One of the highlights of the event is taking pictures with the Easter Bunny,” Walters said. “Our bunny takes her time with each kiddo and meets them where they are comfortable. I love watching when we have a child that is really nervous but then finally has the confidence to give the Easter Bunny a big hug.”

The Easter Egg Hunt has a great deal of retention, according to Walters, which is something that the Parks and Rec department wants to maintain.

“We see many of the same families each year,” Walters said. “They comment how much their kids love the event and how much they appreciate the little things we do to make the event special for all. Our hope is that this is an event they look forward to every year.”