Yuma Palms Easter Egg Festival has something for everyone

It was a special day for Erica Mendez and her son Jacob who has autism. Like many children with autism, Jacob is sensitive to light and sound.

Erica said it’s not so easy for Jacob to attend public events.

“I walked into it slowly and the way it is set up it wasn’t too overwhelming. He got a little bit overwhelmed and so did my other but we got to pull to the side. And like I said the bunny took a little bit of an extra time to make them smile which I really appreciate. And it just makes my heart melt when people do stuff like that,” said Mendez.

Almost 2,000 people attended this year’s Yuma Palms Easter Egg Festival. Eric Bowlin, Yuma Palms Chief Coordinator said his favorite part of the event is the magic in a child’s eyes when they open the Easter eggs they find.

“It’s unveiling things that they don’t know what’s in it. it’s expecting to see the Easter bunning here. It’s overwhelming with all the different things that are going on. Just gets them excited for their own Easter egg hunt at home,” said Bowlin.

The festival had an obstacle course, a petting zoo, and ponies. Jacob Garcia, a father of three said there was something for every family.

Lopez said about the event, “Coming to the community and to be able to have something like this for them to be able to see and look and touch and feel it’s a big thing for them and growing up and the stages of life.”

For 7-year Brian Barragan, the festival was about sharing the memories with the ones he loved.

Barragan said, “That spend Easter with my mom and sister. My family.”

For the Mendez family, it’s a day they’ll never forget.

“Hopefully he gets to see the picture and remember that forever,” said Mendez after showing Jacob their picture.