By Scott Nordhues /Staff Writer
Photo by James Quigg / Daily Press
Posted in the Daily Press – March 27, 2019
(To read Daily Press original article  CLICK HERE)

A large, happy crowd took advantage of clear skies and ideal temperatures to enjoy Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley’s Easter Eggstravaganza at Center Street Park on Wednesday.

The faith-based mission organizes the annual pre-Easter event as a way for local churches to offer outreach to area families, and to provide fun for children on spring break from school. Vendors, many of whom are from local churches, handed out candy, clothing items, games, and food.

The brass band Tuba Force, whose members donned bunny ear head gear for the occasion, played for the crowd.

Volunteers from Calvary Chapel in Victorville painted children’s faces and handed out balloons and and fruit snacks. Assistant pastor Jason Villalobos said the volunteers “pray with each and every person who comes by our booth.”

He said some people end up visiting Calvary Chapel as a result of their interaction with volunteers at the event.

Stephen Feinstein, a pastor at Sovereign Way Christian Church in Hesperia, said he and other church members were distributing gospel tracts and trying to impress upon visitors to their booth that Easter “isn’t about bunnies or eggs. It’s about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Members of Victorville’s new Fire Department, which launches service on Saturday, were also on hand to greet the public and distribute various goodies In early 2018, the city chose to drop county fire protection in favor of re-establishing its own fire department.

The six new firefighers present at the beginning of Easter Eggstravaganza expressed eagerness to being their job this weekend.

Jordan Cope, a fire engineer and paramedic, spoke briefly to the crowd. “We look forward to serving you,” he told them.

As a line of families entered the park for the event, Quigg pointed out bicycles, baskets and scooters nearby that would be raffled off at the end of the day. Raffle items were donated by CEMEX, the Victorville cement plant, she said.

Christine La Frambois and her two daughters, Miakoda, 6, and Niya, 3 were visiting Easter Eggstravaganza for the first time. She said Katie Flatt, a friend who accompanied her, suggested they attend.

“It’s a safe place in our community, away from drugs and that kind of thing, where we can do something fun,” said La Frambois.

Bill Edwards, director of Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley, attributed Easter Eggstravaganza’s growth over the years to the spirit of outreach.

“Everything we do is centered around the Gospel,” said Edwards.