HAGERSTOWN - Hundreds of children showed up Saturday at several events in Hagerstown to hunt Easter eggs and, in the process, steal every ounce of tranquility from the ducks at City Park.

As children encircled a field full of Easter eggs before the hunt began, two ducks who waited too long to flee started to quack in fright. Just as the children began to move in, the ducks lifted off, dodging tree branches until they reached the safety of a nearby pond.

Eric Boutieller, youth pastor at the Tri-State Fellowship on Cearfoss Pike, said about 575 children attended the sixth annual Great Egg Hunt at City Park.

Church members placed about 15,000 eggs across the park grounds, Boutieller said. Children then collected the eggs and redeemed them for candy.

In about three minutes, all of the eggs had been gathered.

Boutieller said the church holds the event to help people realize the meaning of Easter.

"It's not all about bunnies and candy," Boutieller said. "It's about Jesus Christ."

Steve Turner of Waynesboro, Pa., said he heard about the hunt Saturday morning and decided to bring his children, Steven, 12, and Tiffani, 4.

"They were excited ... They couldn't wait to get here," Turner said. "I think events like this are great for the community. They should have more things like this."

"I thought it was awesome," Tiffani Turner said. "I go to church, so I like the fact that it's about God."

Earlier in the day, another Easter egg hunt was brewing at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown.

One of the event's organizers, Kim Roberts, said about 4,000 eggs were distributed for the hunt by members of Crossroads Church. Each plastic egg was pulled apart and contained candy inside.

"We're not trying to promote anything," Roberts said. "We're just trying to reach out to the community."

The event at Fairgrounds Park also featured games, music and free food.