FORT SILL, Okla., March 31, 2016 -- Cowan and Butner fields were awash in pastel colors signaling the start of spring but not through the petals of newly budding flowers. The colors came from thousands of multi-colored plastic eggs, filled with treats and awaiting children to pick them up during the Easter Egg Extravaganza, March 26.

By 11 a.m. almost 30,000 eggs covered the fields which were divided into sections by age and one particular section was made for those children with special needs. Organized with support of the Fort Sill garrison offices, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Corvias Military Living, the free event included sponsoring organizations such as Chick-fil-A and USAA. Fort Sill also chipped in a fire truck and ambulance provided by the fire department for children to sit inside and take photos.

"This was a great family- and child-friendly event," said Col. Glenn Waters, Fort Sill Garrison commander. "The hunt has been around for a long time, at least 20 years. We benefit from having done it so long. It gets better every year."

The hunt began at noon and a few minutes later, children cleared all the eggs from the fields.

Holley Simmons, whose husband is in Korea, attended with her daughter, Kynlee, 4, and her niece, Makenzie Gray, 6. Simmons said she wanted to come after hearing about the event on the radio and that while she hoped the children had fun, she also benefited from the event.

"It said this would be a fun event for kids to come to," she said while the two girls searched through their baskets. "I love that they have different vendors and that they're handing out information. Some people are unaware of the resources here. I was excited to get information on the different services."

In addition to information booths and static displays, the extravaganza featured face painting, sack races, pony rides, a photo booth, inflatable bounce houses and a cake walk, among other things. Kynlee's favorite part was the donut-eating contest where glazed donuts were strung up and contestant had to eat them without using their hands.

"I like donuts," she said.