DATE: Friday, April 4, 1997                 TAG: 9704020192

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 11   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY CAROLE O'KEEFFE, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines

COLD AND WIND CAN'T SPOIL THE FUN AT EGG HUNT SOME EVENTS HAD TO BE CANCELED, BUT ENTERTAINMENT AND CANDY WERE A LURE.

The weather changed everything

- but that didn't keep 1,800 children from having a good time.

For more than 20 years, Portsmouth has put on an egg hunt in one form or another, said Bobbye Wallace, a city recreation specialist.

This year, organizers called it the First Annual Spring Egg Hunt Extravaganza, ``which means we have to have another one,'' said Tesha Fleming, committee chair for the event, and a parks and recreation special events coordinator.

``We're trying to provide a fun day for Portsmouth's children,'' Fleming said. ``It gives them an opportunity to have wholesome fun.''

Several downpours in the morning meant that some activities - like volleyball - had to be canceled. And the whole party, which was supposed to run from noon until about 3:30 p.m. - had to be cut short when the weather turned wintry, with strong wind gusts bringing very cool temperatures.

L. Pettis Patton, director of the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and General Services, said, ``Even if it is a little blustery and cold, in the hearts of our children, it doesn't matter. They're anxious to hunt for those eggs.''

Many children came to the egg hunt from private day care centers and from city recreation centers.

Wesley Phelps, 8, of Churchland, came with his grandparents, Frances and David Bond. The Bonds live near City Park and frequently ride their bikes there.

They had seen signs advertising the day's events in the park and made sure Wesley got to enjoy it.

Wesley said he especially liked the fire department's display. ``They showed you what to do in a fire,'' he said.

At the Kids' Safety House, which teaches children fire safety tips, Alexandra Keene, 6, huddled close to her mother and looked frightened as smoke poured into the room.

Billy Wilder, a firefighter, said, ``There's nothing to be afraid of. This is pretend, but that's why we're doing this today, so if you have a fire, to let you know what to do.''

After Alexandra had been through the exhibit, her mother, Donna Keene, said the exhibit was a good idea. ``I loved it,'' Keene said. ``You can really learn about fire safety. I want to bring my Brownie troop.''

The entertainment included magic and karate shows, and visits from the Naval Air Reserve, the Portsmouth Fire Department and its Kids' Safety House, the Portsmouth Health Department, Norfolk Naval Color Guard and Bobby the Clown.

The Highland Biltmore Step Team and the Mapp-Hunt Middle School Drill Team performed.

Dairyail Bishop, 10, had rabbits painted on her face, at one of the most popular activities. She liked hunting for eggs, and won several prizes playing games.

Nearly every child at the event had been through the face-painting area, and had some sort of decoration on one or both cheeks, and even on their noses. One room in the clubhouse was full of artists - and lines of children who waited as patiently as they could.

Staff member Edrika Oliver drew a brightly colored kite on the hand of 4-year-old Brittany Jordan.

Arnita Jordan, Brittany's mother, said, ``She picked an appropriate picture, with it being so windy. . . . I thought it might be canceled, but we were pleased to know it was still on.''

The entire event was free, and included lots of candy. Fleming, who had been in charge of buying the treats for the egg hunt, bought prizes for the game winners.

She estimated that she had bought or received donations of more than 7,000 pieces of candy. MEMO: Sandra J. Barker contributed to this story. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SANDRA J. BARKER

Bobby the Clown entertains the crowd at the Spring Egg Hunt

Extravaganza at City Park on Monday.

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