City egg hunt named as one of best 10 in the nation

MANASSAS PARK — About the same time “Washingtonian” magazine listed Manassas’ downtown as one of the best places to live in the region, Manassas Park got a boost of its own last week when USA Today listed the city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt in Costello Park as one of the 10 best in the nation.

“I think it’s just another example of a small city that plans special events for its city that really are outstanding,” said Councilman Kevin P. Brendel.

The story, which ran in last Friday’s weekend edition, placed Manassas Park’s egg hunt in Costello Park in the illustrious company of events such as the White House Easter Egg Roll and the Easter Eggstravaganza in New York City’s Central Park.

“It’s great that we were recognized as one of 10 places nationwide,” said Theresa Polk, program coordinator for the city’s Parks & Recreation Department.

The USA Today article, on page 3 of the newspaper’s Life section, tells of how children ages 10-13 are allowed to rummage through the park with flashlights on Good Friday, while younger children, up to 9 in age, search through the grass for eggs the next morning.

“The lighted hunt is great preparation for the Halloween festival, when kids walk a haunted path once used by Civil War soldiers,” the article stated.

Polk says 36 young people showed up for the Friday event, now in its third year. About 50 children took part in the Saturday hunt, which has been going on for about 10 years.

Prizes include free pool passes, candy and stuffed animals. The event is free to all residents of Manassas Park.

The other winning events on the list included:

– The Easter Eggstravaganza at the University of Montana in Missoula, Mont.;

– The Garden Egg Hunt in Santa Barbara, Calif.;

– The Garrison Farm Easter Egg Hunt in Homer, Ga.;

– The Easter Egg Hunt in Juneau, Alaska;

– The Easter Egg Hunt in Santa Claus, Ind.;

– The Young’s Jersey Dairy Easter Egg Hunt in Yellow Springs, Ohio;

– The Easter Egg Hunt on the Slopes in Brian Head, Utah.

Staff writer Chris Newmarker can be reached at (703) 368-3101, Ext. 119.