Mountain View Christian Center's Easter Eggstravaganza Has Moved to a New Location This Year

The Easter Eggstravaganza is less than two weeks away. Remember it is being held on the 11^th of April. You will want to attend the now even bigger event. It will be hosted at the new Eggstravaganza site, Freedom High School in Oakley.

The Easter Eggstravaganza started as a small event 6 years ago, in a pitted field near the old church site in Brentwood. The church was much smaller then, still in its infancy. It is still a young congregation, celebrating its 6^th birthday this coming August, but it is growing quickly.

The thinking behind this awesome hunt and all the other activities that day is that Mountain View Christian Center wants to give back to the people in the local communities, no matter who they are or where they come from. Your background makes no difference. All are welcome. This year the main sponsor is Trinity Christian School, another growing branch of Mountain View Christian Center.

As Pastor Jerry so eloquently put it, "This is not about what we do inside the walls of our church, but what we do outside." They aren't trying to push the church down people's throats at the festivities but if you have attended in past years, you know the warm spirit is there. You will see joy on faces all over the Eggstravaganza grounds. This is a love thy neighbor and do good will for everyone gathering. It is meant to show the love of Christ in action, not by lecture. It is a day for everyone of all ages to gather with a blessed spirit and welcoming smiles. God blesses us to bless others.

The Eggstravaganza is FREE to anyone attending. No entrance fee and no cash donations are accepted that day. If the spirit moves you to give, donations are accepted before the day though at Mountain View Christian Center. They are located at 5000 Amaryllis Street in Oakley. The day is kept to the spirit of the event. The price was paid at Calvary.

In the beginning of the Easter Eggstravaganza's history, it was a much smaller gathering. There were 10,000 stuffed eggs put out in a pot hole riddled field that very first year. The church threw the event anticipating 500 hundred visitors. Not everyone thought they would get that many. Over 1,000 came that first year.

From that first Eggstravaganza, the hunt has grown each year to become the spectacular gathering it is now. The second year it increased to 8,000 participants, the third to 16,000, the fourth to32,000. Last year, anticipating a possible 45,000 people attending, they hit an astonishing 52,000 participants. It was awesome to see so many people gathered there to participate at such a positive event.

Because of the economy, Mountain View Christian Center is hoping to see 60,000 people come this year. They will have 250,000 eggs dispersed at age related hunts throughout the day. With the newer and larger setting at Freedom High, the Easter Eggstravaganza will be able to accommodate the bigger group better, and be able to spread the many and varied activities out more. There is more parking available this year too.

What else will be there? If you have never attended, be prepared to be astonished at the sheer size, variety of fun activities and amount of work that goes into hosting and running the Eggstravaganza. Dedicated volunteers staff most of it. This year there are 50 bouncers of all types, climbing activities, a petting zoo, pony rides, a 30 foot truck slide and laser tag. Don't forget the free hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and drinks.

Of course the crown event is the Easter egg hunt. The hunts are scheduled all day long. A fresh fully stocked hunt is set up each time. There is even a hunt just for the adults who are still willing to dive in and enjoy a bit of free spirited and energetic fun. It is fun too. If you have very young children who are able to participate, there is a separate and gentler area set up specifically for them. Every age has a welcoming place at the Eggstravaganza.

Helping Hands Ministry will be present at this year's Easter Eggstravaganza too. The ministry was started almost two years ago at the old Brentwood location on Harvest Drive. At the time they had about 5 people who came regularly. Now the weekly attendance numbers have jumped, with 45 to 60 people participating each week. Not only does it provide food and clothing for the body, each week a message of hope is offered along with those physical gifts. Helping Hands Ministry is food for the body and the soul. If you can bring a can, box or bag or donate to the worthy food and clothing service, bring it that day or donate ahead of time at the church.

Come one, come all on Saturday the 11^th of April! Bring family and friends too. Have a joyous, energetic and busy day at the huge Egsstravaganza.

Easter Eggstravaganza egg hunt hours are: 0-3 all day, 4-5 yrs 10:30 a.m, 6-7 yrs 11:30, 8-9 yrs 12:15, 10-11 yrs 1 PM, 12-13 yrs.1:45 PM, 14-17 yrs 2:30 PM, ADULTS 3 PM. Other activities are ongoing all day.