Egg hunts kick off the Easter season on Staten Island (photos)

Reagan Burke, 3, races to collect eggs at the Staten Island Zoo's Eggstravagant Breakfast on Saturday. (Staten Island Advance/Vincent Barone)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Saturday was cold and windy, so one of the only true signs of spring were the plastic, pastel-colored eggs that peppered the grounds of the Staten Island Zoo and Corporal Thompson Park.

The zoo and the park were settings for the first of many Island egg hunts this Easter season. And Saturday's weather didn't deter hundreds of Staten Island children from some good-natured egg raids.

EGGSTRAVAGANT BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

The Staten Island Zoo kept up its long-standing egg hunt tradition this year, hosting families and their children for an event-packed day that included breakfast, an Easter bunny meet-and-greet, carousel rides and, of course, an egg hunt.

"We try to pack the day with as many activities as we can to keep the kids active and busy," said Kelly Gallagher, the zoo's organizer of the Eggstravagant Breakfast. "But the kids go crazy for the egg hunt. My favorite part is watching their faces as they line up to begin."

The zoo itself is also open to all participants during festivities, with the day's underlying motive to draw children closer to the natural world.

During breakfast, zoo handlers brought out some docile animals, like an eastern box turtle, an armadillo and a savannah monitor lizard for children to pet and interact with. But Waffles, a 5-year-old ball of fluff that is a lionhead bunny, was the crowd favorite. If not for catching periodic glimpses of his pink eyes through his white fur, it would be impossible to tell that Waffles was actually an albino rabbit.

"The kids love to see the animals, too," Ms. Gallagher said. "It helps build an appreciation for nature, which is so important."

A total of about 176 people participated this year's event - with about as many children as adults in attendance.

"It's a family thing," said Lisa Nielsen, who brought her children, Christopher Nielsen, 4, and Sofia Nielsen, 7, to the breakfast. "The food is good, the events are good and the kids love to come here all the time to see the exhibits."

Children rush to collect eggs in the Corporal Thompson Park playground during the Annual Golden Egg Hunt on Saturday. (Staten Island Advance/Vincent Barone)

When asked what was his favorite animal in the zoo, Christopher initially exclaimed, "a dog!" But he quickly changed his answer to his favorite animal in general, the cheetah.

"I like cheetahs because they're fast. They're fast like me," he said, striking a running pose.

ANNUAL GOLDEN EGG HUNT

Organized by local nonprofits Choices For Hope and Brothers Care, Inc., the annual Golden Egg Hunt in Corporal Thompson Park draws about 150 children each year for a day of dancing, face painting and rock climbing.

While most of the hidden eggs were stuffed with treats, three golden eggs held Toys R Us gift cards that were valued up to $100.

"It's just a way to give back to the community and put a smile on the kids' faces, said Choices for Hope board member Danny Sears.

"We're having a good turnout today. Nothing, not even the weather could stop these kids from getting their eggs," he said.

Frank Sullivan, the president of Brothers Care, likes to think of the event as a way to get kids back outside.

"After the winter and the snow, we want to get these kids out in the park, being active," he said.

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