Putting all their eggs in several baskets

The resounding answer was "Yes!" when Miss Burbank Ashley Karp asked hundreds of children if they were ready to hunt for Easter eggs.

More than 1,000 parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and children descended Saturday morning on McCambridge Park for the annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza.

Although Park, Recreation and Community Services officials were expecting 500 children for the three morning egg hunts, families armed with bunny ears and a wide assortment of spring baskets — from traditional colorful wicker baskets to grocery bags to stuffed animals with egg-holding compartments — kept filing onto the baseball field.

When Karp, master of ceremonies for the event and a 2011 competitor for Miss California, began her countdown for children 3 and younger, parents and children tensed up to swarm the field.

Twins Paisley and Suede Richer, both 22 months old, each found eggs with stickers inside.

"This was their Easter egg hunt," said mother Tiffany Richer. "I think they had fun."

Both children were fascinated by how the eggs opened and closed, despite the chaos surrounding them.

Sofia Barco, a 1-year-old from Burbank with rabbit ears on her head, continued to take her eggs out of her basket to find them again as the field was cleared for the next age group.

The next round of egg hunters was more intense, and the 3,000 eggs set out were cleared off the outfield in less than 10 seconds.

"It looked like a mob," said Karp, 20. "It was like two waves suddenly filled and engulfed the field — it was crazy."

Even if children were able to snatch only one egg from the grass, event sponsor Walt Disney Co. donated giveaway bags for all participants.

The Egg-Stravaganza also allowed families to take pictures with the Easter Bunny, play carnival-style games with prizes and have their faces painted.

Burbank Animal Shelter also brought real-life Easter bunnies to give the full spring experience to attendees.