Town Square Park turned into a sea of color and laughter on Saturday, April 12, as hundreds of families filled the field for the Palos Hills Easter Egg Hunt — a longtime tradition that felt bigger than ever under sunny skies and 60-degree temperatures.
Children dashed across the park in age-groups, grabbing candy-stuffed eggs by the dozens. The city packed 4,000 eggs this year — and they vanished in minutes.
“We probably passed out like 4,000 eggs, and they were gone in what, two minutes? Three?” Mayor Gerald Bennett said, laughing. “The weather is the nicest it’s been in four or five years, and because of that, what a huge crowd.”
For many parents, the event was more than just a candy grab — it was a joyful pause from the everyday rush.
Antonette Nikolova brought her sons, Ian and Teo, for their first time and said the decision to come out was easy. “It’s a beautiful day, and I want the experience,” she said, watching her boys dart through the grass with their baskets. “It’s fun for them.”
Joe McEwan stood nearby, holding the hand of his 3-year-old daughter, Heather, who was on her second egg hunt here. “We live in the area, and it’s a beautiful day right now,” he said. Asked what Heather’s favorite part might be, he laughed: “The chaos — just the thrill of running out and getting all the eggs.”
That thrill was real for 6-year-old Atiana Suarez, who clutched her basket tight as she compared candy with her older sister, Arianna Morales. Morales had just driven home from Millikin University in Decatur to make it in time.
“I literally just got here — it’s like a two-and-a-half hour drive,” Morales said. “I didn’t want to miss this with her.”
They were part of the final age group to go. Unlike earlier waves, theirs held back, waiting for the signal.
“We were the only group that listened!” Morales said. “Everyone else just ran in when the guy said, ‘Make some noise!’ and this group just stood there like, ‘Wait, is it time?’”
The field buzzed with movement — kids darting between patches of grass, parents calling out names, strollers weaving through the crowd. Laughter carried across the park, along with a few meltdowns and plenty of proud, “Let me see your basket,” moments. At every turn, someone was snapping a photo or helping a little one chase down one last egg.
After the final eggs were scooped up, families lined up for one last must-have: a photo with the Easter Bunny.
No tickets. No stress. Just sunshine, thousands of eggs, and a photo worth framing.
