Kids: Get Ready for the Big Hunt

Children of all ages are invited to the big egg hunt Saturday morning at Heather Farm Park. But if your kids seriously want to get in on the action, they should be at the park at 10 a.m because the hunt starts at 10:15 a.m. sharp. 

Eggstravaganza! is an event hosted by the Walnut Creek Community Interact Council, better known as the Walnut Creek Youth Council. The event lasts until 11 a.m. with the Easter Bunny on hand to pose for photos.

The youth council has long hosted the Eggstravaganza. The group's ability to host it this year marks its accomplishment of being able to hold itself together after its funding from the Walnut Creek , which paid for a staff advisor, was cut from the city budget in the city's effort last spring to close a $20 million gap.

The youth council has been a fixture of the city for more than 40 years, offering the city its one true connection with the teens of Walnut Creek, according to an editorial in the Las Lomas Page. The council offered middle and high school students the opportunity to get involved in community service in the city. 

Over the years, the council has put on a variety of public events. In addition to the Spring Eggstravaganza, the council also hosted a holiday breakfast, teen job fair and teen movies under the stars. The city looked to the council for input on issues affecting the city's youth, such as the construction of the skate park and the design of the teen section in the new downtown library. Council members even helped the city write its General Plan 2025. For many students, applying to youth council was the first time they had to go through a rigorous application process, the Page said. 

Council President Katie Lanfranki said the group survived the loss of its staff advisor when Mayor Cindy Silva put them in touch with new volunteer advisors: Pat Brands, a retired Northgate High counselor and Saran Wondolowski, the Las Lomas High activities director.