Participants are asked to bring their own flashlights and baskets.

MADISON – Madison children can enjoy a rite of springtime with a slightly different approach at the Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt on March 29. Children can expect a surprise visitor at the hunt.

For the 16th consecutive year, the City of Madison is sponsoring the event to usher in the season for children who are 5 to 12 years old. Approximately 700 children attended the egg hunt by flashlight in 2012. The egg hunt is free.

“It’s different than regular egg hunts. It is a fun, adventurous and exciting event,” Gayle Milam said. Milam works as the city’s event and volunteer coordinator. “The children seem to enjoy having the lights out and shining their flashlights around.”

In addition to the City of Madison, “This year we are proud to have The Play Place and Alabama Telco Credit Union as sponsors, as well as ‘The Madison Record’ and WZYP as media sponsors for our Easter egg hunts,” Milam said.

The hunt will be staged on the Westco softball fields at Palmer Park, 574 Palmer Road in Madison. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m., and the egg hunt will start at dusk.

Organizers will divide the fields at Palmer Park Westco Complex into four age groups, and prize eggs will be placed on each of these fields. “The children that find these eggs will receive a special prize. Only one prize egg per child will be allowed. The children keep all the eggs that they find,” Milam said.

“Participants will need to bring a flashlight and something to collect the eggs in that they find,” Milam said. The eggs will be filled with candy or a toy. Parents will not be allowed on the field during the egg hunt.

The Easter Bunny will attend the hunt. “We courage parents to bring their camera for photographs of their children with the Easter Bunny,” Milam said.

For more information, call Milam at 256-772-9300, email to gayle.milam@madisonal.gov or visit recreation links at madisonal.gov.