Clarksville, TN – The Indoor Aquatic Center once again played host to one of the most popular Easter events in Clarksville, The Wettest Egg Hunts. On Saturday, March 23rd, thousands of brightly colored eggs were put into the swimming and wading pools, to await the hundreds of children who would plunge in to seek out a variety of prizes. Many of the eggs floated, but some were weighted causing them to sink to the bottom of the pool.
The event was made possible by the generous support of Paul and Sandra Lobianco the owners of Sango Pool and Spa. “This event wouldn’t be such a success without their generous support each year,” said Kimberly Gilbert the Aquatics Supervisor for the Indoor Aquatic Center. Other area businesses provided prizes which were printed on laminated slips of paper that were inside some of the eggs. Their company has been serving Clarksville and the surrounding communities for the past 11 years providing everything homeowners need to install and maintain their own swimming pools.
In the morning an adaptive session was held for individuals age 1-18 with special needs. The Lobianco’s feel a special affinity for special needs children, and were “happy that the City of Clarksville is working to offer more events that cater to this under-served segment of our community”.
During the two main sessions, two heats were held the first featuring children age 1-2 in the baby pool, and age 5-8 in the main pool. In between each heat the pools were fully restocked with eggs and prizes. The second heat featured children age 3-4 in the Baby pool, and age 9-12 in the main pool.
Excited children lined the edges of the pool with parents standing close by as they waited for their turn to leap into the water to gather as many eggs as they could. To ensure the safety of the participants a bevy of lifeguards were on hand, both in the water and lining the sides of the pools. For the children who were not comfortable with their swimming ability life vests of all sizes were available to them.
When the whistle blew the children wasted no time getting in the water. Some of the parents helped their children by holding the plastic bags by the side of the pool as the children leaped for more eggs, other parents reached down and grabbed as many eggs as they could reach from the side of the pool stuffing them into their child’s bags.
When the eggs were all gathered up children and parents picked a spot to open each one to see if they won one of the prizes. Once they finished opening all their eggs, they turned the empty eggs back in. Each child then received a special gift bag which ensured that no child left empty handed. Then they had the opportunity to visit with the Easter Bunny who must have been sweltering under all that fur.
This is a fun event for all involved and if you and your child hasn’t yet participated, you really should consider doing so next march!