Easter Egg Hunt...

The Easter Egg Hunt is held on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter Sunday.  About 800 Easter eggs filled with candy are dispersed over the soccer field and the children take turns hunting for them.  We start with the infant -  3 year olds group for their egg selections. Next is the age group from 4 - 6 years, and then children 7 - 9 years followed lastly by the children 10 - 12 years. When all the children have had a chance to pick the initial amount of eggs, it’s a  “free for all”. 

Inside some of the eggs, he or she may find a note indicating a prize is won!  We usually have around 25 - 30 prizes consisting of Easter bunnies, Rabbits and other Easter toys for children.

 This is a fun event for the whole family and we have refreshments to enjoy while the children or grandchildren are collecting Easter eggs.  The Hidden Valley Volunteer Fire Department display their Fire Engines, providing that  they are not called out on duty.  They hand out Fire safety materials for the children and if one is  lucky, he or she can  sit in the Fire Engine.

By Anette Christensen

 

Annual Picnic

The Annual Picnic in the Hidden Valley Park is another fun event and a great way to meet one's neighbors.  The date varies from June through August depending on availability of the Park.  This year's event has yet to be arranged.We start up the Grill around 11:30 AM and prepare hotdogs and hamburgers.  Sodas and condiments are provided and participants bring a side dish or dessert for everyone to share.  We charge a nominal fee for the sodas, hotdogs, and hamburgers.

 There will be games and entertainment for the whole family.  This may vary from year to year, but here are a few examples: Dunk-tank, Velcro-wall, Bounce house, Air hockey, balloon toss and Horseshoe tournament. 

 Another popular event at the Picnic is the Raffle.  We have great raffle prizes from local vendors.  Examples can include:  Free rounds of golf, Overnight stays at hotels, dinners, etc.  One can even win a free membership to the Hidden Valley Homeowner Association.

 It is a wonderful way to celebrate summer in this beautiful regional park.

By Anette Christensen

Hidden Valley Christmas Contest

By:  Paul Murphy

While Hidden Valley had been well known through out the Truckee Meadows for being the place to visit at Christmas time, the parade of lights Christmas contest officially began in 1983. Throughout the years, each contest portrayed its own unique entries. At one time, residents entered categories with themes; some residents participated solo, and some entered as a group category, actually converting some streets and cul-de-sacs into a single theme. The most famous one to-date is “candy cane lane”.

 Hidden Valley has been approached by several charities through the year and asked if toy drives could be held at the Pembroke Drive entrance.  This past year’s charity was Washoe County Social Services, and they have signed up again for next Christmas.  We are delighted that children in that program can benefit from this event.

 The parade of lights contest is famous throughout the Reno-Sparks area.  It is well publicized on television and radio spots as well as noted in the Reno Gazette-Journal.  The contest begins on the 12^th of December and ends on January 1^st.  Many neighborhoods have tried to equal our efforts.  But, according to the RGJ, Hidden Valley is still “the King of Christmas  and still the Big Show in town”.