Anticipating great treasure, children began to line up early for Ironton’s annual Easter Egg Hunt Tuesday evening, buckets and bags swaying at their sides.

After a couple of false starts by a few eager hunters eyeing eggs a little too close to the starting line, a megaphone sounded the call. For many children, the event was their first try at gathering the multi-colored, surprised-filled eggs.

Yet, they all seemed to know exactly what to do.

A little overwhelmed at first, 2-year-old Olivia Wilson got the hang of her first egg hunt.

Olivia’s mother, Toni Markins, said she got about 15 eggs.

“She did great,” Markins said as Olivia enjoyed a caramel candy from one of her eggs.

Two-year-old Carson Medinger, also a first-timer, sprinted full speed ahead through the field of eggs. His mother, Morgan, was right behind, helping him collect his fortune.

“He did great,” Morgan said after the hunt. “He was quick. When it was over he asked to do it again.”

Carson also found one of the about 50 specially marked eggs to receive a prize basket.

There were about 2,000 eggs scattered across the Ironton soccer field on South Ninth Street. The Ironton Fire Department and the Ironton Business Association organize the event annually.

Usually on the Lawrence County Courthouse lawn, the hunt was moved to the soccer field, a move that went well, said Ironton firefighter Jack Delong.

“I think this is better,” Delong said.

Besides the candy-filled eggs and gift baskets, Delong said coupons from local businesses were handed out through the crowd.

And of course, the Easter Bunny. was on hand to spread Easter cheer and pose for pictures with the children.