One of the colored eggs hidden by Bay Area Optimist members is nestled in the branches of a small tree with the help of some grass. World Photo by Lou Sennick

Easter is approaching and on the South Coast, service organizations are hard at work, preparing for annual egg hunts.

Following is a compilation of hunts scheduled so far:

Easter Bunny, eggs and prizes at Wal-Mart

The local Wal-Mart store, located on Newmark Avenue in Coos Bay, will hold its annual egg hunt on Saturday. The Easter Bunny will arrive on a Charleston fire truck and there will be 11,000 eggs to hunt for.

The age groups and times are as follows:

€ 0 to 2 years at 10 a.m.

€ 3 to 6 years at 10:30 a.m.

€ 7 to 10 years at 11 a.m.

Prizes, as well as two bikes per age group, will be given away at the hunt.

Myrtle Point Lions host annual egg hunt

The Myrtle Point Lions will host their annual egg hunt at Rotary Park beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday. Lions members will hide 140 dozen candy-filled eggs at the park. Toddlers to young teens can participate and special prizes will be awarded to those who find the gold and silver eggs in each age group. Two Easter bunnies also will be at the park to entertain children.

Elks sponsor Coquille Easter festivities

The Coquille Valley Elks Lodge will once again sponsor its annual Easter egg hunt at the lodge/golf course. This will take place at 1 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Also, Easter brunch will be served between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All Elks and guests are invited.

Barrone Park site of community egg hunt

The annual Reedsport area community Easter egg hunt will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in Jim Barrone Park, next to Highland School on Longwood Drive. There will be five age categories for children 10 and younger, and lots of eggs for all to take home. The Easter Bunny will be available for photo opportunities with the children.

Eggs will be supplied by the Gardiner/Reedsport Lions Club and the Winchester Bay Merchants Association. Alice Weathers and her crew at Pizza Ray's in Winchester Bay will donate the time and materials to cook and dye the eggs.

Eggs aplenty at Bandon City Park

Rain or shine, Bandon's annual Easter egg hunt, sponsored by the Bandon Lions Club, will be held Sunday on the grassy area of City Park.

The hunt will begin promptly at 1 p.m.; families are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early.

Eggs will be hidden within three designated areas for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and children in grades 1-3. There will be special Easter items awarded to the 12 children who find a uniquely designed egg. There will be four items given for each designated area. Prize-winners will receive one item only and no prizes will be given for the most eggs found.

Children are asked to bring their own baskets. One person may aid a toddler during the hunt, but parents and others too old to hunt are asked to stay outside of the hunt areas of the older children.

Lions members will supervise and assist within the areas during the hunt. Members will be wearing their club jackets for identification.

For more information, call Lions member Anita Almich at 347-2517.