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, April 12th, 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 is 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. 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.
Other area businesses contributed their support as well, by providing prizes which were printed on laminated slips of paper that were inside some of the eggs.
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”.
“The wettest egg hunt for the adaptive needs children has been a tremendous success!” said Vaden. “We’re so excited to see the parents and children come out, have an opportunity to get in the water, and hunt for Easter eggs, have a great time, and take advantage of the pool.”
“We love it because Lee is not want to bend down to pick up Easter eggs at the traditional egg hunts even though he goes the ones at church and the fire department, but with the pool the eggs are right in front of his face and so it’s much easier for him to participate that way. We really love it!” said Emily Giles. “The lifeguards are his swim instructors because he comes here for the adapter swim lessons too. We just really enjoy it because it gives them a more fulfilling way to participate I think.”
She has nothing but praise for the event, and recommends it highly to parents who have not yet attended with their adaptive needs child. “If you haven’t been to the wettest Easter egg hunt, you are missing out this is the best thing ever absolutely!”
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.
Outside there were inflatable’s, face painting, and the kids could color their very own Easter egg.
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 year!
The official City of Clarksville Easter Egg Hunt, the Spring Eggstravaganza will be held on Saturday, April 19th at Heritage Park baseball fields. “Its more your traditional Easter egg hunt,” said Vaden.”We look forward to seeing all the people who come out and enjoy that event!”
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