The city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department will be hatching its 14th annual Celebration of Spring at Posse Grounds Park at 525 Posse Ground Road on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parks and Recreation Special Events Coordinator Jason Vargo said that the event draws the largest attendance of any of the city’s programs, with an estimated attendance of 3,500 last year.

“For the uninitiated, it’s going to be an incredibly fun time filled with fun for all ages and a festive atmosphere,” Vargo said. “There just aren’t any other many other options like this in town that rival the amount of community that all comes together for a joyful purpose annually in Sedona.”

The event will include free outdoor attractions, an inflatable play area for the younger children, free egg hunts with over 25,000 eggs for children to find and, new for this year, an egg hunt for high schoolers 

Vargo said that carnival-style rides have been scrapped because of liability and insurance considerations, but a zip line, rock climbing wall and giant slide will be available.

“The Ninja Nation obstacle course is a new addition to the event. It’s a 125-foot-long obstacle course,” Vargo said. “There’s going to be two separate lanes available. One is going to be suitable for ages five to 12, and the other lane is for 13 and up. And every participant will be required to sign a waiver prior to utilizing the course. But that’s going to be an easy online option. We’re going to have QR codes that people can sign … We will have ways that everybody can sign up regardless of whether or not they have a smartphone.”

The egg hunts will take place at 10:30 a.m. for kids up to age 2, 11 a.m. for kids ages 3 to 5, 11:30 a.m. for kids ages 6 to 8, noon for kids ages 9 to 12 and 12:30 p.m. for high schoolers.

“I’ve been trying to create more opportunities for our teenage population,” Vargo said. ”So volunteers from the Interact Club are going to be helping to hide eggs specifically for teenagers. So high schoolers are going to be able to do their own egg hunt in their own area.”

A total of 144 eggs will contain tickets that can be redeemed for various age-appropriate prizes. Kids should bring their own baskets, and while the hunts and rides are free, cash is recommended for food, drinks, face painting and other activities.

“We’re going to have our popular face painter from Radiant Arts back again, and there’s going to be a carnival game trailer on site as well, and games will be $5 apiece,” Vargo said. “We will also have treats available from various food vendors.”

The Easter Bunny will be available for photos and a meet-and-greet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., with performances by the circus troupe QT Entertainment between his sets.

Additionally the Free to Be Me Drum Circle will be taking place at the Posse Grounds Pavilion from noon until 2 p.m. the day of the event.

Those interested in volunteering for the event can do so through Volunteer Sedona and the Verde Valley’s website at vsvv.org. Volunteer activities include setting up and breaking down event booths, greeting and counting participants, managing lines for the egg hunt and trash collection.

“It’s been great to partner with Volunteer Sedona,” Vargo said. “They’ve got a streamlined process that allows people to go to their website and see not only what options there are to volunteer for the city of Sedona. But it’s a great way for people to learn about other [organizations] that they might be interested in supporting.”

“Parking has historically been a challenge for the Celebration of Spring,” Vargo said. “We are encouraging people to utilize the Sedona Shuttle Connect as a great way to be picked up where you are in Sedona, brought to the place where you desire to be, and [be] taken home, all for $2 a trip.”

Vargo will be holding a riders’ raffle for a $70 value gift basket from a local grocery store for shuttle riders.

“We will also have on site parking staff to help people know where they can park, anywhere in the park that’s available, and anywhere off site if it becomes necessary,” Vargo said.