NATCHEZ — More Easter eggs than people filled Duncan Park for the 53rd annual Miss-Lou egg hunt on Saturday, but the crowd certainly wasn’t small.

Director Bob Ewing said he was impressed with the turnout, which he estimated at more than 700 people.

Volunteer Clark Feiser and the Natchez Retiree Partnership spent weeks filling 10,000 eggs with candy or prize numbers. Ewing said if it weren’t for his helpers, he could not make the event a possibility.

“I’m amazed at how many kids were here,” Ewing said. “My goodness, where do they all come from? There were four to five layers of children lined up to get eggs.”

Ewing said he is proud that the annual Easter egg hunt is such an icon for the City of Natchez.

“I have mothers and grandmothers who used to hunt eggs bringing their children and grandchildren now,” Ewing said.

On “go,” children charged into the field to gather as many eggs as possible.

A few smaller children were caught in the fray this year, so Ewing said next year he is considering changing the age limits.

“I think everyone left happy,” Ewing said. “This is an opportunity to give something to kids who might not have a place to go hunt eggs like this. We gave away some bikes and nice toys too.”

Carmen Holloway said she has been coming to the hunt since her daughter, Asia, was 3 or 4. Now Asia, 17, is a volunteer at the egg hunt.

“This is a beautiful thing they do for the kids,” Holloway said.

Children milled about Duncan Park after the hunt, carrying buckets, baskets and bags filled with plastic eggs. Many carried prizes.

“The best part is getting a surprise,” said A’Ron Thomas Jr., 5, as he carried a toy under his arm. “I think I will come back next year.”

Betty Bowman was at the egg hunt with her daughters and grandchildren. Bowman and her family started attending the hunt when her granddaughter, Laney Romans, was born two and a half years ago.

“I think it’s a wonderful blessing for the children,” Bowman said. “These kids look forward to this day every year.”

Director of Duncan Park Operations Coach Wilbert Whittley began scooping up discarded plastic eggshells and candy wrappers as participants cleared the park. Whittley said he doesn’t mind cleaning up after the children because the day is so meaningful to them.

“It’s a great event,” Whittley said. “And it is so well-funded. I can’t say enough about Mr. Ewing.

“These are Kodak moments. It’s priceless. I enjoy seeing those moments.”

Ewing said he will take a vacation and start working on next year’s egg hunt right away.