LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock’s First Baptist Church has lofty goals for its traditional Easter egg hunt today.
The west Little Rock church plans to kick off its annual egg hunt by dropping 5,000 plastic eggs - stuffed to the brim with candy and trinkets - out of a hovering helicopter.
The event is free and open to the public. It’s scheduled for 6 p.m. at the football field at Arkansas Baptist High School at 8400 Ranch Blvd. in Little Rock.
Parents were encouraged to check the church’s Web site, www.lrfbc.org, before heading out tonight, however.
Weather forecasts predicted wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour today. Conditions like that could pull the plug on “Operation Egg Drop.”
But organizers said the mission was still a go as of lateThursday. If it is canceled, the Web site should say so.
Associate Pastor Jonathan Curtis said Thursday that the egg drop is an attempt to do something “different.”
“We figured people could find an egg hunt anywhere in Little Rock,” Curtis said. “But they can’t find one with a helicopter anywhere.”
Children’s minister Cherie Carney said First Baptist got the idea from a Texas church that posted video on the Internet of a similar egg drop.
She said the plan is to keep children on the sidelines while the helicopter drops eggs between the end zones from about treetop level.
Carney said there are so many eggs that the helicopter can’t hold them all and will need to make multiple passes. The eggs have been taped shut in hopes that they won’t burst open when they hit the ground.
For toddlers too young to hunt eggs, there will also be a stuffed-animal giveawayand an area to take family photos.
The eggs’ cargo includes Starburst and Rolos, miniature slinkies and bouncing balls. All told, First Baptist is spending about $2,000 on the eggs, candy, prizes and helicopter rental, Curtis said.
“Easter Sunday is our day. It’s the greatest celebration day,” Carney said. “So we just really want to make a great memory for the kids.”
Parent Lora Deaton said Thursday that her 8-year-old twins Kinley and Crosse are pumped to see a helicopter up close. And they’re wondering how high the eggs will bounce when they hit the ground.
“They’re excited,” Deaton said. “They can’t wait.”
The event was originally set to be held at the church at 5:30 p.m.
Organizers agreed Thursday to move the egg drop to the high school because the pilot said it would be safer ingusty conditions to operate the helicopter over an open football field.
The church had already sent out 2,500 postcards promoting the event at the church.
“We don’t really know how to get ahold of people,” Carney said. “So we’re starting 30 minutes later to give people time to get out to the school.”
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 04/02/2010