The normally serene trails and fields that make up the grounds of Dr. T.K. Lawless Park will be abuzz with the sounds of scurrying hunters on Saturday, in pursuit of the small, oval-shaped treasures dotting the park.

The park’s Spring Egg-stravaganza celebration returns to the Vandalia recreational facility on Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The main attraction of the festivities that day are the two Easter egg hunts, which take place at 11:30 a.m. for children 2-4 years old and at 12:30 p.m. for kids 5-10 years old.

Organized by the Cass County Parks and Recreation Department and The Friends of Cass County Parks, the annual springtime event has been held out at Lawless for the past 10 years. During the first years of its existence, the Easter egg hunt took place during the evening, with kids using flashlights to help spot the plastic shells scattered about the five acre property, said Scott Wyman, director of the county parks department.

“Unfortunately, more times than not, by the time night fell it was so cold outside that it was too hard on the kids,” Wyman said. “We decided to move it back to the afternoon, when it was warmer, a few years ago.”

Like many outdoor events, attendance to the Easter-themed event has fluctuated depending on the weather outside, with as many as 1,000 visitors coming one year, Wyman said. With sunny, but someone chilly temperatures in store for the day, the director said he anticipates around 300 kids and adults to visit the park Saturday.

Volunteers plan to spread over 5,000 candy-filled eggs throughout the fields of Lawless Park for children to uncover, Wyman said.

“Everyone will get their fair share of eggs, that’s for sure,” he said.

A wide variety of activities outside the hunt are in store for visitors, including face painting, crafts, heyrides and bonfire. Volunteers will also set up a 22-foot inflatable dual slide, which was a popular attraction last year, Wyman said. Mesko Farms will also set up a petting zoo inside the park grounds that day, featuring goats, lambs and everything in between.

The Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance, interacting and taking photo opportunities with participants, Wyman said.

Volunteers with The Friends of the Cass County Parks will also be selling hot food and beverages throughout the afternoon.

“It’s a three hour event, so we’re taking a lot of time out of anybody’s day,” Wyman said. “A lot of things take place around lunchtime, so kids can come out, hunt for eggs and get a bite to eat.”

Admission to the park costs $2 per person. Lawless Park is located at 15122 Monkey Run St. in Vandalia.