OCEANSIDE — It was a flurry of feet, baskets and clip-on bunny ears as the Oceanside Fire Department blew the fire truck horn to signal the start of three simultaneous egg hunts at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on March 22.

Egg hunts were divided into three separate fields for 3- to 5-year-olds; 6- to 8-year-olds; and 9- to 11-year-olds.

For some first-time egg hunters like Kayla Askey in the 3-to-5 age group, the excitement proved more than they anticipated.

“Kayla was overwhelmed,” said her aunt, Bonnie Trujille.

The 3 to 5 year olds started 10 minutes early, which caused a little havoc, said Tina Beasley, seasonal recreation supervisor at Melba Bishop Center.

“Once they get started, you just can’t stop them,” Beasley said.

Experienced egg hunter Colleen Trujille, 10, said the hunt was fun and the competition was tough.

“They all try to get a head start and head after the golden egg,” Colleen said. “I almost got run over.”

To make this 45 minutes of Easter fun happen, Oceanside Park and Recreation workers met bimonthly for the past three months to gather prizes, egg items and put eggs together, Beasley said. Three recreation centers divided up the work, the Beach Recreation Center prepared eggs for the 9- to 11-year olds, the Senior Center got eggs ready for the 6- to 8-year-olds, and the John Landes Center organized eggs and treats for the 3- to 5-year-olds.

The results of months of preparation let hundreds of children enjoy the egg hunt, said Rose Conrad office assistant, at the Melba Bishop Center.