MARYSVILLE — Thousands of people filled Jennings Memorial Park’s Rotary Ranch, April 23, as kids of all ages turned out to enjoy a rare day of sunshine and the city’s annual Easter egg hunt.

“Although it’s still early, it looks like we could have 3,000 people here today,” said Jim Ballew, Parks and Recreation Director. “This is a wonderful turnout by members of this community.”

Marysville’s Olesya Onyshchuk and her daughters Natalia, 2.5, and Yana, 4, were attending the annual event for the first time and were having a great day.

“This is a lot of fun. It’s big, it’s huge,” said Olesya Onyshchuk. “It’s wonderful that the city would do this.”

Ella, 17 months, and Madison, 2.5, were accompanied by parents Holly and Kevin Winters, and grandparents Steve and Nancy Winters at the Easter egg hunt.

“Originally we had planned on going to the Woodland Park Zoo,” said Holly Winters. “I’m so glad we came here instead. I think this is fantastic. It’s a wonderful family activity and it’s great to live in a community that cares enough to do this.”

Michael Stevens was just one of several Marysville City Council members who were on hand to help out on Saturday.

“This is what community is all about,” said Stevens. “It puts a big smile on my face seeing this happen, particularly in this time of belt tightening. People have stepped up to make this happen. We have great support from the community.”

The Marysville Community Food Bank also benefitted from the event as attendees dropped off donations.

“In less than half an hour the Marysville Community Food Bank has collected more than double their entire take from last year’s event,” said Ballew. “That’s just another example of how giving this community is.”

Ballew was quick to point out that the event, which featured approximately 13,000 plastic eggs filled with candy and tickets for special prizes, would not have been possible without the support of the city and the local sponsors.

“We could never have done this without the generous support of our sponsors,” Ballew said. “Their contributions were  key to making this happen and ensuring the success of this great family activity.”

The event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marysville, Grandview Village Retirement Community, State Farm Insurance – Steve Fulton, and Hillside Church.

Ballew also praised all the volunteers who helped out.

“We had people from Marysville-Pilchuck and Arlington high schools, the Lakewood School District, Grace Baptist Church, Arlington soccer and others who turned out to help us,” Ballew said.