Whether the children carried plastic shopping bags or elaborate baskets, nobody appeared to walk away empty handed Saturday.

Children of all ages up to 12 ran pell-mell across the courthouse lawn in search of candy and loot-filled eggs during the Ironton Business Association's annual Easter egg hunt. The event went off without a hitch with more than100 children showing up to hunt for candy and prize-filled eggs.

For many attendees, the event was a first for them. Cousins Scott Jenkins, 12, Brandi Jenkins, 10, and Harli Jenkins, 3, usually go to a hunt at Paul Porter Park in Coal Grove, but they decided to stay in their hometown to hunt eggs this year.

As Scott sat down after the event opening his eggs, his mother, Dolly Williams, said, "He's not looking for the tickets that win $5, he's just looking for candy."

Harli, found 17 eggs and Brandi carried off 16 eggs.

About 16 of the 2,000 eggs hidden

had tickets the children could redeem for money.

Nine-year-old Tiffany Ailster of Ironton found 22 eggs. Her grandmother, Carrie Vinson of Ironton, said the egg hunt is one of many activities to which she enjoys taking her grandchildren.

Diana Titus, 10, has no little brothers or sisters, but her mother provides child care for six other children. Diana said she's sharing her goodie-filled sack with the little children her mother watches.

The hunt was divided into areas tailored to children's ages.

Mike Mahlmeister, a captain with the Ironton Fire Department, said his 2-year-old girl, Faith, seemed happy with her finds. She was patiently working on getting the wrapping off her lollipop the Easter Bunny gave her.

"This is her first Easter egg hunt because she was sick last year," Mahlmeister said.

After the event, the Easter Bunny departed down the courthouse steps with some words of wisdom.

"Hoppy Easter everybody. Be good little girls and and boys because I bring your candy next week."