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EB the bunny came to Winnetka in time for Easter on April 8.

The Winnetka Park District’s 50th annual Egg Hunt was held from morning into mid afternoon on Saturday to accommodate families via a paid entry bracket reservation format at Crow Island Woods on Willow Road.

Picking up an egg is Maren Lease, 1, of Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Picking up an egg is Maren Lease, 1, of Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

There was no ready, set, go! scramble for eggs. Youngsters could enter the dry, grassy field with the historic Schmidt-Burnham Log House in the backdrop to take their time to fill baskets or bags with their allowed 20 treat filled-plastic eggs per child.

“We’ve made some pretty large changes to the event since 2019, but have stuck with many of the adjustments because the smaller waves and more intimate setting really provide a much less chaotic and overall vastly better experience for the families involved,” said Toby Ross of Glenview, recreation manager for the Winnetka Park District.

With the Schmidt-Burnham Log House in the background, right, is volunteer Will Ross, 14, an eighth-grader from Glenview wearing a box on his head. The box held filled eggs and Will was helping out by distributing the eggs on the lawn. Will was seen more than once adding fun to the volunteer shift by putting empty boxes on his head when the box was empty. Taken in Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
With the Schmidt-Burnham Log House in the background, right, is volunteer Will Ross, 14, an eighth-grader from Glenview wearing a box on his head. The box held filled eggs and Will was helping out by distributing the eggs on the lawn. Will was seen more than once adding fun to the volunteer shift by putting empty boxes on his head when the box was empty. Taken in Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

Ross is of the New Trier Township High School Class of 2000 and had been raised in Winnetka since age 10.

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He estimated that more than 300 children attended, resulting in approximately 160 families making holiday memories.

“This does mark our 50th egg hunt and we definitely went all out with 9,000 plus eggs, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, and of course, photos with the bunny,” Ross said.

Having one on one time with EB the Bunny is Ella Ross, 6, a first-grader from Glenview at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Having one on one time with EB the Bunny is Ella Ross, 6, a first-grader from Glenview at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

Pat O’Donoghue of Winnetka, the parent of Dorothy, 4, is also of the New Trier Class of 2000.

“Really blessed to live in Winnetka and have a good Park District that throws on a lot of great events for kids,” Pat O’Donoghue said.

With a real bunny inside the petting zoo is Dorothy O'Donoghue, 4, of Winnetka, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
With a real bunny inside the petting zoo is Dorothy O’Donoghue, 4, of Winnetka, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

Winnetka siblings Eve MacNally, 5, a preschooler and Rowan MacNally, 7, a first-grader, attended with their mother Kate Casale MacNally.

“One of the things that’s wonderful about Winnetka is how many opportunities there are for community building and family community building,” Casale MacNally said.

Checking out what's inside the plastic eggs are Winnetka siblings, from right to left, Eve MacNally, 5, a preschooler and Rowan MacNally, 7, a first-grader with their mother Kate Casale MacNally at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Checking out what’s inside the plastic eggs are Winnetka siblings, from right to left, Eve MacNally, 5, a preschooler and Rowan MacNally, 7, a first-grader with their mother Kate Casale MacNally at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

“It’s a wonderful place to be growing up, to be raising a family, I think that’s one of the reasons that people, even once they go away for school, come back to raise their families here,” Casale MacNally said with a smile about Winnetka. It’s a really special place.”

Jack and Ryan Statza of Winnetka attended an early afternoon session with their children Will, 6, a kindergartner and Carter, 3.

Ryan Statza, of the New Trier Township High School Class of 2003, grew up in Winnetka in a house across the street from where a former Winnetka egg hunt took place.

“This is like, deep rooted in my soul,” Ryan Statza said. “So I’m so excited for them to do it because he (Will) did it (egg hunt) one year pre-COVID (pandemic), this is her (Carter) first year.”

First look. Unseen on right is EB the Bunny. Carter Statza, 3, of Winnetka, reacts while being held by her mother Ryan Statza, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
First look. Unseen on right is EB the Bunny. Carter Statza, 3, of Winnetka, reacts while being held by her mother Ryan Statza, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

Of residing and raising a family in Winnetka, “I just think the Park District does such a good job with all the activities that they put on,” Ryan Statza added. “I grew up playing sports here so I loved the camaraderie around all of our sports teams.”

Jack Statza grew up in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff area and is of the Lake Forest High School Class of 2005.

“Lake Forest/Lake Bluff had something like this (an egg hunt) growing up, I remember it and it’s nice to see our kids doing it as well,” Jack Statza said.

Going on an egg hunt are siblings from right to left, Emery Lease, 7, a second-grader from Winnetka and her sister Eleanor, 3, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Going on an egg hunt are siblings from right to left, Emery Lease, 7, a second-grader from Winnetka and her sister Eleanor, 3, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

Brian and Sara Lease of Winnetka brought their children Maren, 1, Emery, 7, a second-grader, and Eleanor, 3, to the family memory maker.

“It’s just a beautiful way to celebrate with our family and the community,” Sara Lease said.

Catching a treat-filled egg is Mason Oraha, 7, a first-grader from Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Catching a treat-filled egg is Mason Oraha, 7, a first-grader from Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Catching treat-filled eggs are twins and first-graders (in pink sweater) Mason Oraha and (in blue sweater) Isaac Oraha, 7, of Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Catching treat-filled eggs are twins and first-graders (in pink sweater) Mason Oraha and (in blue sweater) Isaac Oraha, 7, of Winnetka at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.

James and Carol Oraha, who recently moved to Winnetka, watched their twin boys Mason and Isaac, 7, first-graders, catch eggs tossed by a teen volunteer.

To the Winnetka Park District, James Oraha said, “I think you guys are doing a great job, thank you for all your good work and we’re looking forward to many, many great events.”

Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.

Facing, left, Carter Statza, 3, of Winnetka, is on an egg hunt with family at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Facing, left, Carter Statza, 3, of Winnetka, is on an egg hunt with family at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
The petting zoo was a popular destination at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
The petting zoo was a popular destination at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Waving goodbye to EB the Bunny is Catherine Olbrisch of Kenilworth, holding tot Eleanor, 2, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.
Waving goodbye to EB the Bunny is Catherine Olbrisch of Kenilworth, holding tot Eleanor, 2, at the 50th annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka at Crow Island Woods on April 8, 2023.