Clovis community members come together for some early Easter fun

Parents, kids and community members enjoyed an afternoon of early holiday fun at the Clovis Easter Eggstravaganza at Bicentennial Park on Sunnyside and Sierra Avenues on Saturday, April 13.

The free annual event lasted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and featured food, games and activities for the whole family.

Children 5 years old and over participated in an obstacle course consisting of several bounce houses, tug-of-war contests and limbo poles. The kids were able to earn Easter eggs after completing each obstacle before crossing the finish line — an arch of balloons strung together.

For the children under 5, there was a separate obstacle course egg hunt featuring games and activities for the younger egg hunters.

At one point in the afternoon, a dust devil lifted the balloon-arch finish line, carrying it several feet in the air, prompting laughs and amusement from the attendees.

Also in attendance were two service dogs, Galloway and Keanai, sporting bunny ears and drawing the attention of children and adults alike.

The event was sponsored by five individual groups, including the Action Community Church, the Valley Friends Church, the Two Cities Church, the Clovis Police Department and the Clovis Recreation Department.

Bill Smittcamp, of Wawona Frozen Foods provided 2,200 fruit cups, and about 100 volunteers from the churches barbecued 3,000 hot dogs for the event goers. There was also a cotton candy machine and a shaded picnic area for attendees to enjoy their lunch together.

The police department brought an armored vehicle, a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, for guests to examine, as well as Bodie, a sniffer dog, who was a main attraction for many in attendance.

Also from the Clovis Police Department were police chaplains Glen Hartwell and Jorja Jones, who offered prayers and fellowship to any who wished to join them.

All in all, the event offered fun for all who came and was an opportunity for families spend time together, run into old acquaintances and make new friends on a sunny day in the park.