NATCHEZ — Hunting will take on a whole new meaning in the Miss-Lou as several organizations prepare to host Easter egg hunts for area children.

Between three hunts, an estimated 59,000 eggs will be up for grabs throughout Natchez.

Monmouth Plantation Easter Egg Hunt

The Natchez Garden Club will host its inaugural Easter egg hunt on the lawn of Monmouth Historic Inn, located at 36 Melrose Ave., Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 per child and can be purchased at Magnolia Hall. All proceeds from the event will go towards funding for renovating Magnolia Hall.

“This is our first year doing this, and we hope to make it an annual event,” said Susie Pyron, who is organizing the hunt alongside NGC member Michelle Skates.

The event will be divided into three egg hunts — one for children in third through fifth grade, a second for kindergarten through second graders and another for toddlers.

Pyron said about 4,000 eggs will be hidden throughout the Monmouth property.

“Cathedral High School cheerleaders will also be there doing face painting, and there will be an Easter bunny for children to take photos with,” Pyron said.

So far, Pyron said she has had more than 100 people say they would attend the event, but she’s hoping more will turn out for the event Saturday.

“It’s a beautiful location,” she said. “Monmouth is the perfect backdrop for an Easter egg hunt, and this supports such a great cause.”

Duncan Park egg hunt

The 59th annual Miss-Lou Easter Egg Hunt will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 4 at Duncan Park Ball Field for children age 1 through 8.

Bobby Ewing, hunt organizer, said the egg hunt is a longtime tradition for the Miss-Lou, and this year he expects about 700 children to attend.

“We’re hiding about 5,000 eggs this year, and at the end of the hunt we’ll pass out prizes,” Ewing said.

Ewing’s father, P.K. Ewing Jr., started the egg hunt to raise funds for the then-residential Natchez Children’s Home.

However, the egg hunt became so popular the Ewing family decided to include the entire community.

“We started doing it at Duncan Park because it’s such an ideal location,” Ewing said.

Last year, Ewing said he met a Jackson woman who grew up attending the hunt and now travels to Natchez each year so her grandchildren can participate in the hunt.

“No child will leave empty handed,” Ewing said.

Jelly Bean, the hunt’s official mascot, will also be on site to pass out candy and prizes.

The event is free and open to the public.

Eggapalooza

Natchez Church of God will host its second annual Eggapalooza Saturday, April 4, beginning at 11 a.m. at Natchez State Park.

Last year, organizers hid 10,000 eggs. However, this year they’re increasing that number to 50,000.

“There will be candy, small toys and money hidden in the eggs,” said Michael Messer, one of the hunt’s organizers.

Games, drinks and sweets will also be available for children ages 12 and younger.

Some eggs, Messer said, will have a number that corresponds with a prize, which children can collect at the end of the event. Walmart gift cards will also be given away as door prizes.

“This will be good, clean family fun,” Messer said.

The event is free and open to the public.