Shi Lee's Seventh Annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt fights weather to create memories

Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News
Updated ·3 min read

Shi Lee's citywide Easter Egg Hunt draws community

With dark clouds in the sky, the seventh annual Shi Lee's Citywide Easter Egg Hunt attracted families from all across the city for food and fun Sunday afternoon at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.

Two young girls go through their collected eggs during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Two young girls go through their collected eggs during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Families line up to collect toy prizes at Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Families line up to collect toy prizes at Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.

Tremaine Brown, the organizer of this event and the owner of Shi Lee’s  BBQ and Soul Food, said the event continues to grow, with more people coming from around the city to share Easter with one another.

A rare early morning rain in the Panhandle did not stop Brown and his band of over 100 volunteers from placing around 70,000 eggs throughout the park. Some of the eggs had prize tickets that could net some lucky children various toys, with over 2,000 toys given away.

Tremaine Brown passes out candy during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Tremaine Brown passes out candy during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.

Special 3-D printed eggs holding special tickets allowed a child to be able to choose a mode of transportation, such as a bike, hoverboard or skateboard. Over 100 of these tickets were available. Brown said he used the specially printed eggs to be able to determine genuine winners.

As people waited in line all around the park, Brown and company ensured that everyone had an equal opportunity to start at the same time as food such as hamburgers, sausage and ribs were being prepared. Families and children went on a mad dash to grab eggs as the egg hunt began.

A family collects their toys as rain starts to fall during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
A family collects their toys as rain starts to fall during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.

“We had such an awesome crowd today with all these beautiful children dressed in their Sunday’s best,” Brown said. “I am just blessed to be a part of making this happen.”

Having the community come out is key to making these events meaningful, Brown said.

Children run to collect toy prizes as the rain begins at Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Children run to collect toy prizes as the rain begins at Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.

“I love my community and love all these communities coming out to share this experience with me,” Brown said. “My daughter has been a constant motivation for me to do for the community at large. I really want to give her memories to share as she grows older. The number of people coming out today really speaks for itself.”

Brown said he named this hunt the citywide Easter egg hunt because he does not want anybody to feel left out.

Tremaine Brown guides the proceedings at Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Tremaine Brown guides the proceedings at Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.

“I do not want anyone to think that this side of town does not have any entertainment value,” Brown said. “I want people here not to feel that they must go all the way across town to build to have places for kids to go with their families to build memories and have fun. People of all nationalities and neighborhoods from every corner of Amarillo are represented here today.”

A volunteer flips the burgers during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
A volunteer flips the burgers during Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Volunteers express their satisfaction as they prep food for Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.
Volunteers express their satisfaction as they prep food for Shi Lee's 7th annual Citywide Easter Egg Hunt Sunday at Bones Hooks Park in Amarillo.

Brown wanted to stress this event, much like many of the others he has a part in, was all about providing a service for kids and families in Amarillo.

“Without all the people that support me by donating, showing up or volunteering, we could not continue to provide these important community events for the city,” Brown said. “This is just a beautiful celebration of Jesus and his rising. Everyone needs to love one another. Memories like this give our kids a brighter vision of the future we could all share.”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Shi Lee' Citywide Egg Hunt