"Twenty-thousand of them are pre-filled with either candy or a little toy of some kind. The 250 prize eggs will have a shiny gold message that says, 'Lucky Egg.' If they open an egg and it has the gold message, they can turn it in at Baker's shelter house No. 2 and get their prize," York said.

In the past, prize eggs were gold and eggs redeemable for a bicycle were carrot-shaped. That resulted in some problems, so this year all the eggs will look the same and egg hunters will have to open them to find out if they are "big prize" eggs or not. Thanks to a deeply discounted price Walmart offered the city last year, 200 children age 6 and under also will receive a stuffed animal.

The event also will feature a chance to meet the Easter Bunny, animals from Stockton's petting zoo, free refreshments, free face painting, and assorted activities hosted by New Castle Children's Ministry immediately following the hunt.

The hunt is divided into age groups: newborn to 3 (one parent allowed to assist), 4 to 6, 7 to 10, and 11 to 13.

The park is closed to vehicle traffic and parking. Parking for handicapped persons is available via the Ross Street entrance to the Miracle League baseball diamonds; a handicap license plate or placard is required. All other parking is restricted to nearby city streets, at Baker Park Aquatics Center, and on the nearby New Castle High School parking lot.

In the event of rain, or if the park is too muddy, an alternate plan involving a drive-through system has been devised. One thousand cellophane bags containing 20 eggs each will be distributed to the first 1,000 children to visit shelter house No. 1. If this option is used, officers from NCPD will instruct vehicles arriving for the hunt to park at the main park entrance, along M Avenue, and then along Parkside Drive. A few cars at a time will be allowed into the park so the kids inside can get a bag of eggs, exit to the nearby high school parking lot, and then return to shelter house No. 2 to claim prizes.

York said the city provides the plastic eggs and city employees donate to provide free refreshments. Local businesses have been contacted about donating candy or money to offset the remaining expenses. The deadline for donating is Monday. NCPD also is expected to donate a couple of bicycles to be awarded as prizes.

Roughly 90 percent of the volunteers involved are city employees, York said, adding that their efforts are very much appreciated.

When deputy clerk Candace Hill was asked why she and her co-workers donate to this cause she responded with, "We just love watching the kids. I can hardly put it in words, but the kids just love it. We started out with 7,000 eggs a couple of years ago and now we're up to 20,000, so it's gotten bigger!"

Questions about this year's egg hunt may be directed to the clerk-treasurer's office at (765) 521-6803.