BCAC’s Easter Egg Hunt!

By Dan Guarino

Under sunny skies, hundreds of excited children and smiling adults descended on Broad Channel’s Memorial Field on Sunday, March 29, for the Broad Channel Athletic Club’s (BCAC) Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The group had invited all to “Bring the whole family and get ready for some egg-citing fun!” The event was free and open to all.

Children arrived with a variety of colorful Easter baskets and bags, many featuring Easter bunnies, Mickey and Minny Mouse, basketball hoops and dinosaurs. Baskets were also on sale for $3, with proceeds going to the BCAC.

Some kids came dressed for the occasion, one as Spiderman, another with fairy wings and pink frills, and another with an “Egg-a-sauras” t-shirt featuring brightly colored eggs for scales.

“The Egg Hunt itself has been run by many different community groups/members over the years,” explained BCAC spokesperson Melissa Brugess. The BCAC “took it over officially 10-plus years ago.”

Initially 100+ kids and adults were expected for Sunday’s event. However, it appeared that expectation was happily exceeded by a few hundred.

The field itself was marked off with areas divided by age groups. This ensured all children had a fair, safe chance to have fun gathering up the brightly colored plastic eggs.

BCAC volunteers laid out some 5,000 eggs across the field, each individually stuffed with candy and prizes. The Easter Egg Hunt committee, Bruges explained, “is facilitated by members of the BCAC board who enlist the help of several local moms to get it all done.” Planning started in January.

On Sunday, BCAC President Joe Traegler thanked all who came and the event’s volunteer team, “without which we wouldn’t be able to do this each year.” He then announced the start of the egg hunt.

Already giddy with excitement, children dashed out to scoop up as many eggs as they could, with parents lending a hand to the littlest ones. The field was very quickly cleared.

All ears then turned toward the sound of sirens and clanging bells as a Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department (BCVFD) engine raced down Cross Bay Blvd., then turned into the BCAC parking lot with a special delivery. Sharply dressed in bow tie and vest, the Easter Bunny hopped off as delighted children rushed to greet him.

Parents, children and families then formed a long line, waiting patiently to snap photos with the rabbit of the hour. Many good naturedly offered to take group pictures for the people ahead of them.

The Easter Bunny was greeted with looks of awe, hugs, high fives, smiles, giggles and even a little happy dance, as children came up. A few were a bit more hesitant, with some not at all sure about this very tall rabbit photo op.

Even some grown-ups were happy to “hop” in for a quick photo, with the last including members of the BCAC and the BCVFD. Each year the athletic club thanks the Broad Channel “Vollies” for making sure the Easter Bunny arrives safe and sound.

By 2 p.m., event participants began to cheerfully make their way home. As promised, it had been a truly “egg-citing” event for all.

Founded in 1961, the BCAC hosts a variety of sports activities for boys and girls all year-round. On Saturday, April 18, they will be celebrating their Opening Day for their Baseball, Softball and T-Ball teams. For more information see BCAC Shamrocks on Facebook.

Photos by Dan Guarino.