Where to find egg hunts in Clark County this Easter weekendFree

As tempting as it is to get this story off to a crackin’ start with an eggs-travagant array of egg puns, we’ll keep the yolking to a minimum and simply eggs-amine the hard-boiled facts of the matter: Easter egg hunts, in all their variety, are an adorable, durable annual tradition and a sweet way to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Some folks are loyalists, and return year after year to the same cherished egg hunt, while others like to travel around and try new locations, perhaps hitting two or three different egg hunts each Easter season.

There’s something for everybunny, from traditional, just-find-the-candy egg hunts to community affairs with a festival atmosphere, with petting zoos, carnival games, bounce houses, cake walks, face painting and Easter bonnet contests.

If you’re a dedicated “egg head,” you’ll no doubt have eggs-acting standards, from the number of eggs hidden (one location boasts 25,000 treat-filled gems tucked into tufts of green spring grass) to which hunt offers the best candy and prizes (everything from foil-wrapped chocolate eggs to coins and cash, or tokens for big prizes like bikes).

Here’s a reasonably eggs-haustive list of egg hunts in Clark County — from Crown Park to Carter Park, from downtown Vancouver to Battle Ground and on out to La Center and Yacolt, hosted by cities and civic groups as diverse as the Eagles, Lions, Moose and Elks clubs, and of course bunny- and bonnet-loving congregations of every size and denomination.

It’s an eggs-traordinary thing, but the Easter Bunny magically manages to be in several locations at once. It’s all part of the enchanted, pastel-color-dyed, candy-fueled, flower-strewn daydream that is the egg hunt eggs-perience.

Saturday, April 20

Camas and Washougal

• Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. sharp, Harvest Community Church, 2436 N.W. Astor St., Camas. More than 5,000 eggs will be hidden in different age-based sections for children 12 and younger. Children who find the “golden eggs” get to pick a special toy as a prize. There will be coffee and donuts for parents. 360-834-4081 or www.harvestcc.info/events

• Community Easter Egg Hunt and EGGstravaganza: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hathaway Park, 24th and G streets, Washougal. The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Washougal Aerie No. 4390, will hide more 25,000 eggs in Upper Hathaway Park; hunting will begin promptly at 1 p.m., divided into age groups with prizes such as toys and a bike. There will be candy for every child, plus a chance to visit with the Easter Bunny. The EGGstravaganza, normally held in Reflection Plaza, is moving to Upper East Hathaway Park, starting at noon with a petting zoo, costumed characters handing out goodies, herb seed pods in paper cups that kids can color, carnival games and free hot dogs and cotton candy. Call 360-910-1831 (Washougal Aerie No. 4390) or 360-835-8501, ext. 101 (city of Washougal).

Vancouver area

• Family Fun Fest and Easter Egg Hunt: 9:30 a.m., GracePoint Christian Church, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. There will be a bounce house, carnival games, cinnamon rolls and more. 360-694-2527 or www.gracepointvancouver.org

• Salmon Creek Church Easter Egg Hunt: 10 to 11 a.m., Salmon Creek United Methodist Church, 12217 N.E. Highway 99. Easter egg hunt for ages 1 to 12, followed by decorating nut-free cookies, coloring and giveaways. 360-573-3111 or www.salmoncreekchurch.org

• Esther Short Park: 10 to 11:30 a.m., West Eighth and Columbia streets in downtown Vancouver, hosted by Activate Church. The event features face painting, balloon animals, pictures with the Easter Bunny and a bouncy slide. Different times for different ages: 10 a.m. for 3 and younger; 10:20 a.m. for ages 4 to 6 and special needs kids of all ages; 10:40 a.m. for 7 and older. 360-989-9414 or www.facebook.com/events/426240318160934/

• Easter Egg Hunt at Eatery at the Grant House: 10 a.m. to noon, 1101 Officers Row. This egg hunt features 10,000 eggs with hunts beginning at 11 a.m. for four age groups, a kids’ sports area, Tucker the Pony, a visit from the Easter Bunny and real bunnies from 4H. 360-906-1101 or eateryatthegranthouse.com

• Memorial Lutheran Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. to noon, 2700 E. 28th St. Easter egg hunt for toddlers and children up to age 10. 360-695-7501 or www.mlc.org

• Carter Park Dental Easter Egg Hunt: 11 a.m., Carter Park, corner of East 33rd and Columbia streets. 360-693-1291 or carterparkdental.com

• East Woods Easter Egg Hunt: 11 a.m., East Woods Presbyterian Church, 16201 N.E. 20th St. 360-944-5841 or eastwoodspres.org/happenings

• Vancouver Elks Easter Egg Hunt: Noon, 11605 S.E. McGillivray Blvd. The hunt offers 2,000 eggs with hunts divided by ages. There will be free face painting at 11 a.m. and the Easter Bunny will be available for pictures (for $5, digital pictures can be emailed). Hot dogs, chips and soda will be available for purchase. 360-256-0823 or elks823.org

• All Saints Episcopal Church at Easter Egg Hunt: 2 p.m., 2206 NW 99th St. A traditional Easter Egg hunt on scenic grounds; please arrive early. 360-281-1615 or http://www.allsaints-vancouver.org/

Ridgefield, La Center, Battle Ground

• Kiwanis Annual Easter Egg Hunt: 9 a.m., Kiwanis Park, 422 S.W. Second Ave., Battle Ground. This egg hunt offers a petting zoo, kids’ games and free goodies and an appearance by the Rose Festival princess. The egg hunt at begins at 10 a.m. A fire engine and police car will be on site at 2 p.m. for kids to explore. 360-687-2044 or www.facebook.com/BattleGroundKiwanis/

• La Center Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast: 8 a.m. breakfast at the La Center Community Center ($5) offering pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns and beverages, followed at 10 a.m. by an egg hunt at Holley Park, 1000 E. Fourth St., featuring prizes, candy and a petting zoo. Bring your own egg basket. 360-991-8215 or www.facebook.com/La-Center-Lions-Club-205505766155725/

• Easter Egg Hunt and Scavenger Hunt: 10 a.m., Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene, 747 Pioneer St., Ridgefield. Egg hunts with 8,000 eggs for six age groups and a scavenger hunt for fourth, fifth and sixth graders, plus a wheelchair-accessible special mobility hunt for differently abled children. There will also be crafts, an inflatable slide, giveaways and food. 360-887-3576 or www.ridgenaz.org

North County

• Yacolt Town Easter Egg Hunt: 9 to 10 a.m., Town of Yacolt Baseball Fields at Amboy Road and Christy Street. Take photos with the Easter Bunny, purchase a raffle ticket for prizes. 360-686-3922 or townofyacolt.com

• Woodland Moose Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. sharp, Horseshoe Lake Park, Park Road and Lake Shore Drive. Six thousand eggs hidden will be hidden in the park with hunts divided by four age groups. There are three prize baskets per age group; kids who find gold coins win prizes. 360-903-3579 or www.facebook.com/WoodlandMooseLodge/

Sunday, April 21

Camas

• The Branch Church Easter Egg Hunt: Church services at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. followed immediately by an egg hunt, Union High School, 6201 N.W. Friberg-Strunk St. The Easter Bunny and other costumed animals will be there. A light brunch will be offered. 541-730-0486 or www.thebranchcc.com

• Crown Park: 1:30 p.m., Northeast 15th Street and Everett Street. Annual hunt features candy- and prize-filled eggs and hunting areas for a variety of age groups from 2 to 12. Traditional Easter bonnet and contemporary hat contest immediately after the hunt, with prizes and ribbons. Hosted by Camas Parks and Recreation. 360-834-5307 or ci.camas.wa.us/index.php/parkshome

• Children’s Easter Egg Hunt: 11:45 a.m., Cascades Presbyterian Church, 9503 N.E. 86th St. 360-892-6613 or www.caspres.org