What's supposed to be a cherished Easter tradition turned into a mess after pushy parents caused a scene at egg hunts in Connecticut and Vermont over the weekend.
Saturday's event at the visitor center of candy company Pez in Orange, Connecticut, drew hundreds of people, some of whom ignored the rules.
Pez General Manager Shawn Peterson said the parents "took over," flooding the kids only fields and going on to the next hunt before the designated start times. The signs on each field were taken or trampled on, he said.
Event organizers placed more than 9,000 eggs on three fields with the intention of having staggered start times for each age group. But Pez officials say parents didn't wait.
"I take this personally," Peterson said. "It was a fun thing up until this point."
Pez in a statement apologized for "an unfortunate situation," adding that the actions of a few turned the event into "a mess." They said the number of families that turned out "far exceeded" anything they could have planned for.
People who attended the hunt took to Facebook to comment on the event, calling it "a joke" and blaming "greedy parents" for ruining the hunt. The event ended early. No injuries were reported.
"My grandson ended up with a bloody (nose) from an ADULT in the 9-12 year old section knocking into him!!!! Where was PEZ personnel?? Where was the safety of our children in your thought process??" Jennifer Barden-Moore said.
"Shame on you Pez," said Molly Corcoran. "This has to be the most disorganized Easter egg hunt I have ever attended... It was utter chaos. I have never seen so many crying children in my life."
Nicole Welch said she was separated from her 4-year-old son and later found him in tears. "It was ridiculous," she said. "The parents were literally a poster for everything not to do."
Local
"Somebody pushed me over and take my eggs and it's very rude of them and they broke my bucket," Welch's son, Vincent, added.
"My kids stood there patiently when all of a sudden a swarm of adults just overhwelmed my kids and left that with 2 eggs and tears," added Mario Colon. "This was a debacle..."
Joe Tomaso said his 4-year-old grandson was trampled, and parents taking eggs out of his basket. He likened the event to a "riot."
In Proctor, Vermont, police were called to an overbooked Easter egg hunt Saturday at Wilson Castle after someone reported "multiple irate parents." Organizers say they pre-sold 550 tickets but around 1,500 guests showed up. Some parents asked for their money back due to the long wait times and lack of Easter eggs.
Michael Cuthbertson, 34, of Newbury, Vermont, turned his anger toward police, allegedly threatening them before fleeing. A foot chase ensued, and police used pepper spray to subdue him. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and is expected to appear in court on Monday. Cuthbertson did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Several parents posted about their experience on Wilson Castle's Facebook page. Some said they had fun despite the problems. Others said there's no way they'd ever go back.
"This was a disaster," said Lisa Marie. "Had to leave - worst planning for an event I have ever seen."
"Never go to the wilson castle for the Easter egg hunt," said Kasey Schultz. "Total joke and 7 cops and an ambulance for people fightin we got out of there and never going back waste of money."
"Despite it being a total flop (and ending in fights, police, handcuffs, pepper spray and an ambulance) our boys managed to have a good time," said Jennifer Vargas Bessette.
