Children stood with their knees bent and eyes on the prize, ready to run as Swampscott Recreation Director Charlotte Daher de Garcia counted down from five with a megaphone. When she got to one, children quickly scattered around the Town Hall Lawn as fast as they possibly could, quickly scooping up colorful Easter eggs and stuffing them in their baskets.

In just a matter of minutes, the work was done and children huddled, cracking open their eggs to see what they came away with.

This year, three different hunts took place simultaneously as part of the Recreation Department’s annual egg hunt. Taped off areas were divided into age groups to ensure that everyone had a shot at finding eggs.

“We wanted to be sure that everyone got enough eggs,” said Daher de Garcia. “We were trying to make it as organized as possible, and it’s very hard to organize an event like this because of the amount of kids.”

Tickets for all three age groups sold out. Next year, Daher de Garcia and the Recreation Department plan to go even bigger.

“I think it went really well,” said Daher de Garcia. “The kids were all very excited.”

Student volunteers from Swampscott High School helped get children into the Easter theme with face painting. Hot popcorn helped guests brave the early spring temperatures, and local vendors sold drinks.

Daher de Garcia said the face painting and vendor stations were meant to make the event a little longer, due to how fast the eggs are found.

“It’s so pretty,” said Daher de Garcia, with the historic Town Hall and Atlantic Ocean bordering the scene of the day. “It’s the best backdrop ever.”