A West Valley tradition will celebrate 42 years of unforgettable memories when the Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunts are held on Saturday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to noon at Peoria Sports Complex.
Admission and parking are free with a canned food donation to benefit the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. Some activities require a nominal fee. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.
Held annually on the Saturday before Easter, this event not only offers Easter egg candy hunts for eight different ages groups, but lots of fun and entertainment for the entire family. Come enjoy the entertainment, make and take crafts, carnival games, inflatable attractions, petting zoo, pony rides and much more. And don’t forget your camera for memories that will last a lifetime.
The candy hunts begin with 1-year olds at 8:20 a.m.; 2-year-olds at 8:45 a.m.; 3-year-olds at 9:10 a.m.; 4-year-olds at 9:30 a.m.; 5-year-olds at 9:50 a.m.; 6-year-olds at 10:10 a.m.; 7 and 8-year-olds at 10:25 a.m. and 9 and 10-year-olds at 10:40 am. Family scavenger hunts will be held from 8-11 a.m.
The Easter Egg Hunts were initiated in 1976 by Dolly Sanchez, who was a member of the Peoria Community Action Program and Parks and Recreation Board. Because of the success of the hunts, coupled with the city’s growth, the Peoria Community Services Department/Special Events was asked to help in 1983. Thus, a 35-year partnership has developed to improve and expand this fun-filled family event. Through the years, the Easter Egg Hunts from Varney Park, to seven Peoria neighborhood parks, and finally in 1994 to Peoria Sports Complex.