The annual hunt for Easter Eggs continued across the Bay Area this weekend.
As eager onlookers lined East Campbell Avenue on Saturday morning, Paige Campbell added the finishing touches to her red Volkswagen Beetle, ready to participate in the city’s 20th annual — and wildly popular — Bunnies and Bonnets parade.
Campbell, 49, director of the Valley Baton Club, has participated in the parade for many years. On Saturday, she was joined by 18 of her performers, who twirled their batons in perfect formation as they paraded down the street.
One of the best parts about the event, she said, is seeing the creative chalk art made by kids and their parents before the parade. Families are given chalk by parade organizers, and many draw on the concrete as they wait for the procession to start.
“As our athletes are being welcomed and honored, all the kids are out there with their sidewalk chalk,” said Campbell. “I love that, to see the joy of the kids who create this artwork.”
Under the warm sun — it was easily 70 degrees by parade time — bands, dancers, animals, community groups and local organizations marched while grandparents, babies and everything in between watched and enjoyed ice cream cones, candy and iced coffee.
The events have become an intricate part of Campbell life through the years, and for many families it’s an opportunity to celebrate their community. It’s what brought Jaya Kodahalli, her husband, Madhu Krishnara, and their daughter, Isha, to the parade for the first time.
“It creates a bonding in society,” she said. “It helps kids learn about different cultures and we get to meet new people.
“It’s important to do things like this.”