Hundreds of families joined Chatham-Kent first responders at Kingston Park for a day full of Easter fun.
The 2nd Annual First Responders Easter EGGstravaganza was held at Kingston Park in Chatham on Monday.
Some of the activities at the free event included bike draws, emergency service vehicle tours, face painting, Chatham-Kent Recreation Play Rangers equipment, and other surprises. Kids also got to meet the Easter Bunny, the Minions, and Marshall from PAW Patrol.
Chatham-Kent OPP Constable Jay Denorer says about 500 people showed up at the start of this year's event and the numbers kept steadily rising.
"As people are showing up, they see the first responders are set up with fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars," says Denorer. "Then they see come up and they see Marshall, the Easter Bunny, face painting... they play different games...the Play Rangers are here. We have the Optimist Club set up. We're just seeing more and more people starting to come out now."
Denorer says there is also an educational aspect to the event.
"You get a chance to actually see fire, EMS, and the police and you can talk to them outside of the normal circumstances," he says. "You can come out, see the equipment they use, and actually get to talk to them.
Denorer says as long as the same interest continues for the event, he sees it becoming an annual tradition.
"We're gonna see it continue on for as long as we can," he says.
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