By Nomaan MerchantThe Daily Northwestern

For the hundreds of children and parents who assembled on the grounds of the Evanston Ecology Center for the annual Easter egg hunt, cold weather wasn’t going to dampen their enthusiasm.

“This is the first time in 11 years we have to do it with winter coats,” said Ellen Fierer, one of the environmental educators at the center, located at 2024 McCormick Blvd.

When Fierer yelled “Go!,” dozens of children carrying baskets darted toward the hills behind the ecology center, where hundreds of multicolored plastic eggs had been left for the taking.

Each child was asked to grab 20 eggs – although as Fierer announced to the crowd, any effort would be rewarded – and turn them in to event volunteers for a ticket redeemable for a prize.

More than 200 Evanston residents took part in two hunts held on Saturday, Fierer said, a number consistent with hunts in previous years, despite weather in the low 30s.

Many of the parents in attendance said they brought their children the year before, too.

One parent, Bridget Lynch, said her daughter Henley misbehaved during last year’s hunt. But this year, Henley was smiling and hunting for eggs along with the others, she said.

“It’s definitely neat to see a year later how she’s grown,” said Lynch, Medill ’96. “It’s a great event.”

Two students from Evanston Township High School assisted with collecting plastic eggs and handing out tickets.

ETHS freshman Wyatt Huppert said he enjoyed interacting with the children, who ranged from ages 1 to 8.

“I like working with things that aren’t as complicated, like kids,” he said.

Laura Sowatsky brought her two daughters to the event for the second year in a row.

“It’s a nice alternative to serving candy at home,” Sowatsky said.

Meanwhile, her older daughter, Piper Bailey, 5, collected a number of eggs in her basket.

“I like to get lots of eggs and exercise and run,” Piper said.

Reach Nomaan Merchant at [email protected].