Event Was Named One of Newsweek Magazines Top Egg Hunts in The Country for 2022
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(VERO BEACH, FLORIDA, February 22, 2023) – Is Pathway Church cracked up for dropping 50,000 plastic eggs from a helicopter for the Treasure Coast’s largest free community event for families this Easter? Maybe, but the eggs are packed, the candy bags are stuffed, and more than 100 volunteers are ready to take it to the “eggstreme.” On Saturday, April 8th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., doors open at 8 a.m., kids and families will enjoy carnival games, bounce houses, music, food trucks, and entertainment. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the free event and with new and improved traffic and parking plans, plus VIP and family hunts, this year’s plans for Egg Drop are bigger and better than ever. Paris Air, community supporter and generous donor, will fly the helicopter that will drop 50,000 plastic eggs onto the grassy field at 1105 58th Avenue, Vero Beach. Kids will hunt for eggs by age group every 45 minutes and exchange their eggs for bags loaded with candy and toys.
“We want kids and families to make memories together and experience a love like no other,” says Dr. Brian Bennett, lead pastor at Pathway Church. “Pathway’s mission is to love God and love all people in our pathway. We are ready to serve our neighbors and have some fun with our community this Easter weekend.” Bennett continues, “Pathway is focused on building bridges and creating opportunities for unity throughout the Treasure Coast. What better way to do that than bringing sponsors, partners, community service providers and thousands of people together for a fun event.”
Last year, the event made Newsweek Magazine’s top eight nationwide egg hunts, parades, and rolls for 2022 so this year, Pathway Church organizers have plans to accommodate an even larger crowd. Improvements this year include: a VIP hunt with on-site parking for the first 500
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registered; family hunts for mixed ages three times throughout the day; additional shuttle buses; off-site parking at the Indian River State College (IRSC) campus (6155 College Lane in Vero Beach), and the Indian River mall (6200 20th Street near JC Penney); and a simplified check-in process for registrants. Pathway Church is partnering with the Sheriff’s department of Indian River County to increase the number of sheriffs present to direct traffic and facilitate movement of cars not attending the event.
“We learned a lot from the event last year,” Bennett says, “and we want to make it even easier for people to attend.” Bennett encourages families to use the off-site parking and shuttles to reduce stress and avoid traffic getting into the event. “Plan to park at the mall or IRSC, get your wrist band and then kick back, relax, and start the fun on your shuttle ride.”
Registration is required and may be completed online at www.treasurecoasteggdrop.com, or on-site prior to entry. QR codes with the registration link will be posted at shuttle lots, and along the street. Onsite parking at Pathway Church is only available with an approved parking pass for the first 500 registered. VIP registered guests will receive an email with details to pick up their event packet and parking pass.
Gates open at 8 a.m., and the first hunt is a mixed age hunt for families beginning at 9 a.m. Kids ages 0 to 2 years old will hunt at 9:45 a.m.; ages 3-4 years will hunt at 10:30 a.m.; Kindergarten and 1st graders will hunt at 11:15 a.m.; another family hunt for mixed ages is scheduled for noon for anyone who missed the specified hunt for their age group; 2nd and 3rd graders will hunt at 12:45 p.m.; 4th and 5th graders will hunt at 1:30 p.m.; and the event wraps up with a family hunt at 2:15 p.m. for mixed ages. The helicopter will fly over the grass and drop eggs for each age group to ensure plenty of fun and eggs for everyone. The empty eggs will be redeemed for bags stuffed with candy and prizes. Five gold eggs will be dropped for each group. Kids finding the golden eggs receive a special gift.
Event organizers have been planning the event since September and sponsors signed on early to make it happen: Paris Air, Inc.; Molinari Pools; Christian FM; Quail Valley; State Farm, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice; Vero Fitness, Rehmann; Viking Auto, Village Beach Market, and Chick-fil-A, plus partners The Buggy Bunch, Salvation Army; Cornerstone Christian Church; Next Level Productions; and Master’s Academy.
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About Pathway Church
Focused on reaching the community and challenging the way people perceive Church, Pathway is a dynamic community of Christ followers that welcomes all people with the mission to love God and love all people in our pathway. Pathway Church is a nondenominational church affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson, IN) with an 80-year history in the Vero Beach community. The church meets Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., live at 1105 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32966, with kids services at both times, and online at www.pathwayvb.com
