Makeshift barricades separated anxious young hunters from thousands of plastic Easter eggs spread across the football field at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday.

"Just a few more minutes," one mother called out to her 3-year-old son, who had slipped under the bright orange ribbon meant to hold the kids back until 2:30 p.m.

Dropping a couple of colorful eggs he had managed to toss into his camouflage Easter basket, the toddler rushed back and waited for the go-ahead.

Within moments, the signal was given and hundreds of little treasure seekers, many in their Easter Sunday best, rushed the field in search of eggs and toy prizes.

"The kids absolutely loved it. They had lots of fun," said Jessica Birmingham, as she helped sons Jace and Jaydon open their prize eggs to see what was inside.

New to the area, she and husband Jeff were excited to find the egg hunt for the boys.

"I think it's definitely a way that the community can get together," she said. "It makes us excited, moving here knowing there's going to be something for them to do and stuff to be involved in."

A collaboration between K.A.R.E. for Kids, Dawson County Parks and Recreation and The Church at War Hill, the community egg hunt is in its 28th year and continues to grow.

"We didn't know with the [possible rainy] weather. We had a little smaller crowd, but watching the kids get so much is just awesome," said Pastor Don Allen. "This is what's making me excited, seeing kids leaving with their baskets about to break and overflowing.

"We are just so thankful for what Dawson County does promoting this and allowing us to have a part in it. It's great when partnerships come together like this."