WEST HARTFORD – The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) will sponsor its ninth annual Awesome Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 3, at the West Hartford Reservoir, 1420 Farmington Ave.  The $4 donation per child per hunt, as well as all proceeds from the sale of refreshments, photos and gift raffles, are donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for its fight against neuromuscular diseases.

            “Since the MDC began the annual Awesome Egg Hunt, about $85,000 has been raised for the MDA,” said MDC Commissioner Albert F. Reichin, who has championed the event since its inception.

            Trude H. Mero, chair of the MDC’s Community Affairs Committee, said that the Awesome Egg Hunt is an ideal time for families to visit the MDC’s West Hartford Reservoir. “Nearly 100 employees volunteer to ensure that all visitors have an enjoyable time while helping a worthy cause,” Mrs. Mero said.

During the egg hunt – actually a series of hunts held throughout the day – children up to age 10 searches for nearly 50,000 pieces of candy and hundreds of plastic eggs contain slips redeemable for prizes. As a special feature in celebration of the MDC’s 75^th Anniversary, slips for bonus prizes will be included in 75 of the eggs.

            The Awesome Egg Hunt is made possible by the generosity of these sponsors: Buckley Radio and its stations, WDRC, WSNG, WMMW and WWCO; WTXX-TV Connecticut’s WB 20, Mucke’s, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Walgreen’s, Imprint Newspapers and PowerStation Entertainment.

Games, face painting, costumed bunnies and other characters will be on the grounds. Instant photos with the bunny will be available for a small fee. The event will be held rain or shine.

            Participants may arrive any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hunts, grouped by age categories, are held approximately every 15 minutes.