Easter ‘egg-citement’: Sunny skies shine at Hartselle’s first ‘Eggstravaganza’
By Tracey Tylman
For the Enquirer
Hundreds of children and families gathered under clear skies April 12 as the City of Hartselle and Daystar Church hosted the first citywide “Eggstravaganza” at Sparkman Park.
The family-friendly event featured Easter egg hunts for children under 12, raffles for teens 13 and older, food trucks, local vendors and donated entertainment such as bounce houses and cake walks.
Daystar Church prepared more than 20,000 Easter eggs for children to collect, including coveted “golden eggs” for the older age groups that held special prizes, said Austin Smith, Next Generation Pastor at Daystar.
Local parent Abby Howard said her family enjoyed the day. “It was good, we loved it,” she said. Another mom, Sydney Gay, appreciated the age-specific hunts. “I liked the ages being broken up,” she said. “It kept the little ones from having to compete with the big kids.”
Smith and Ginger Cataline, a church representative, said the entire event was made possible through community donations. Church members contributed cakes for the cake walk, and 46 local businesses donated raffle prizes. Bounce houses, eggs and candy were all provided through generous giving.
Local businesses contributing to the effort included Belmont Barber, Minor Tire, Southern Charms, Cinemark, Oliwia’s Shave Ice and S. Reed Photography, among others.
Mayor Randy Garrison stopped by to present awards to winners of the Easter coloring contest. Four of the five young artists were on hand to receive their prizes. Winners were Payton Stripe (kindergarten), Kinsley Mae Brooks (first grade), Bella Reed (second grade), Kameron Suggs (third grade) and Kierra Beasley (fourth grade).
Daystar Church has hosted its own Eggstravaganza for the past 12 years. This year, Michelle Allmon with Hartselle Parks and Recreation reached out to the church to collaborate on a larger citywide event. Planning began in late February.
Hannah Raley, a church volunteer, said the hope is to make the Eggstravaganza an annual partnership between the city and the church. Allmon echoed the sentiment, saying she hopes to expand the event next year with earlier planning.
Even during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, Daystar adapted their Easter plans. With thousands of eggs already ordered, church member Michael Cataline said the team came up with the idea to “egg” local homes instead. Volunteers delivered 200-egg bundles and hid them in yards, leaving signs that read, “You’ve been Egged by Daystar Church.”
Cataline said this year’s collaboration with the city was a blessing, especially as Daystar is currently building a new sanctuary and lacked the space to host the event alone.
“This was an incredible opportunity,” Smith said. “Church shouldn’t stay just in the church walls.”
