Families filled the Recreation Center pool Friday afternoon for the annual Pool Eggstravaganza, an event featuring an aquatic egg hunt and access to multiple aquatic attractions.

After changing into their swimsuits, families waited on the pool deck until the start time, when children entered the water and began splashing around playing water basketball and anticipating the upcoming aquatic egg hunt.

Later in the afternoon when eggs were released, the Aqua Bunny appeared on the scene, to the delight of young and old.

Organizers placed a similar number of eggs in the pool as in previous years, although it looked like there were less eggs to some.

Park and Rec Program Director Ben Doeden (left) stands with pool staff Jaci Johnson, the Aqua-Bunny, and Zoe Uhde during Friday’s event. Photo by Amy Zents

“We are going to put in even more eggs next  year, ” said Ben Doeden, program supervisor with the New Ulm Park and Recreation Department.

Participants who found a plastic egg stood in line and took it to a desk behind the water slide to turn it in for some wonderful and delightful prizes.

Each winner selected one item from each prize category, a distribution method used to maintain consistency across age groups.

After all eggs were redeemed for fun prizes, pool staff removed the log�’rolling station and added inner tubes for general use. Many floated away on the blue inner tubes for the rest of what time was left in the event.

Children also used the facility’s zip line, water slide and hot tub.

Rory and Arlo Hsu meet the Aqua-Bunny. Each child received a bag of treats after capturing an egg during the aquatic egg hunt. Photo by Valerie Hsu

Valerie Hsu, who traveled from Woodbury to visit family in New Ulm for the Easter holiday, attended with her children. A former New Ulm resident, Hsu said her children were interested in meeting the “Aqua�’Bunny,” who posed for photos during the event.

“People really enjoyed it,” said Ben Doeden, program supervisor with the New Ulm Park and Recreation Department. “It was very popular.”

Attendance remained steady throughout the two�’hour session, continuing a program that has become a regular part of New Ulm’s seasonal offerings.