Anarchy reigned when about 200 kids were let loose Saturday for the inaugural Leadership Putnam Easter Egg Hunt on the driving range at Eatonton’s Uncle Remus Golf Course (URGC).
Despite carefully laid out sections designated for three distinct age groups from toddlers to teenagers, once the little ones started racing down the hill at 11:30 a.m. with baskets in hand, intent on gathering as many of the 2,000 or so plastic eggs scattered before them, the anticipation proved too much to resist for everyone else and a virtual stampede ensued.
A very quick, unavoidable (and correct) Leadership executive decision was reached to just go with the flow, and within about five minutes the range was back to its barren self and practically ready for golfers to re-inherit its turf.
Fortunately, no injuries were sustained by egg hunters, parents, caregivers, or Leadership members alike, save for a few bruised feelings for less-aggressive egg gatherers who came up empty. No problem, though, as Leadership Putnam Chair Justin Hadden foresaw the issue and held back a hundred or so eggs to dole out after the fact.
“I kind of figured there would be a few kids who didn’t get any eggs, so I just didn’t want anyone to go home empty-handed,” Hadden said. “Unfortunately, there were a couple of kids who arrived late, though, and we didn’t have anything left, but other than that I think the event was a huge success. Everyone I saw seemed to be having a pretty good time.”
Each plastic egg contained one or two pieces of candy, plus Peaceful Purpose Hospice in downtown Eatonton contributed 100 special white eggs, each stuffed with a crisp $1 bill.
The egg hunt, complete with Leadership Putnam’s own Easter Bunny, was the main attraction, but the event, organized by the 10 members of the 2023-24 Leadership Putnam class, also featured four free “bouncy houses,” free face painting for kids, master storytelling by Georgia Benjamin-Smith of the Uncle Remus Museum, an extensive equipment display and valuable fire prevention giveaways by several members of the Putnam County Fire Department, as well as several food trucks to keep the crowd fed and hydrated.
A 28-inch Blackstone griddle also was raffled off, with Carol Ray’s name drawn at the end of the day.
“This is great, a lot bigger than I expected,” Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute remarked while walking his dog through the crowd.
Funds for putting together the free Easter event were raised a couple of weeks earlier through Leadership Putnam’s inaugural Golf Tournament, also held at the Uncle Remus Golf Course.
All sponsors who supported the golf tourney also had their signs and names prominently displayed at the Easter Egg Hunt, where their participation was greatly appreciated.
“I’m kind of sorry it’s all over now,” URGC Golf Services Director and Leadership Putnam member Diane Carter said. “When can we do another one?”