Hundreds of families filled Central Park in San Mateo on Saturday, April 4, for the 49th annual Eggstravaganza, the city’s free Easter celebration featuring egg hunts, live entertainment, a costume contest, food trucks, and a puppet show.
The San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department hosted the event, which ran from 9 a.m. to noon at Central Park, located at 50 E. Fifth Ave. Additional activities included a community parade, photos with the Spring Bunny, and a magician.
Seona Kumar, a Carlmont Key Club member and volunteer at the event, said the organization stood out.
“It’s really well managed,” Kumar said. “They really put a lot of thought and time into all the activities and how they’re going to organize them during the event.”
Wristbands for the egg hunts were free, with a small egg hunt for children aged 3 and under, and a large egg hunt for children aged 4 to 11. Additionally, the Rotary Club of Peninsula Starlight hosted a pancake breakfast inside the Central Recreation Center, and there were many other games and food options for families to enjoy.
Jingyu Tan, a parent attending the event for the second time, said Central Park was a great choice for such a large gathering.
“It’s very convenient for parking, and it’s a huge place, so it’s not too crowded,” Tan said. “People can go around without bumping into each other.”
Tan’s favorite part of the morning was the puppet show, one of the event’s early performances. “It’s very unique, and we have a great time watching it,” Tan said.
The Puppet Art Theater Co. performed at 9:15 a.m., followed by the costume contest and parade at 10:15 a.m. and traditional performances from local children.
“The events and the games help the community come together on a fun Easter weekend,” Kumar said.
That sense of connection is something Nada Ahmed, a community event organizer who has planned events for universities, said is the most important measure of a successful gathering.
“Success in community events is defined not just by attendance or execution, but by whether the event builds trust, strengthens relationships, and leaves people feeling connected,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed said the value of local events goes deeper than providing something fun to do on a Saturday morning.
“Local events benefit the community most when they are grounded in care, connection, and shared humanity rather than just activity or attendance,” Ahmed said.
The Eggstravaganza is now in its 49th year, hosted rain or shine by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Few events in San Mateo have run that long, reflecting something residents keep coming back for year after year.
Ahmed said events like Eggstravaganza have become even more necessary in a world that is increasingly moving online, particularly regarding artificial intelligence (AI).
“In today’s world, especially in the context of rapid technological change and AI, there is an even greater need for events that help people reconnect to what it means to be human,” Ahmed said. “Communities need spaces that prioritize presence, empathy, creativity, and collective care, things that cannot be automated or replaced.”
