ANNA MARIA – Despite cold overnight breezes, threatening clouds in the sky and whitecaps in the Gulf, an estimated 800 or so Easter egg hunters braved the elements to hunt down those plastic containers of toys and tattoos on the beach.

The sandy expanse behind the Sandbar restaurant was dotted with eggs and the police tape around the hunting area held back the young, intrepid egg hunters until Sandbar manager Joe Rogers signaled them to go, and then it was a mad rush of wide-eyed kids with bags and baskets, trying to claim as many as they could. They sometimes had to dodge parents, who were photographing the action with cameras and smart phones.

The kids, energized by a tasty breakfast in the restaurant’s pavilion, didn’t stop with the egg hunt. After all three sections of beach were swept clean by the kids, they all gathered behind the Easter Bunny for a walk down Pine Avenue where more fun awaited them.

There were lanes taped off for kids to complete in the egg roll. They had to use a spoon to roll eggs from one end of the lane to the other.

In addition, there were books to color and two women painting faces. Chuck Caudill provided the music as contestants gathered for the children’s and adult Easter bonnet contests.

The Sandbar served snacks of ham biscuits and quiche and orange juice or mimosas as the morning turned into afternoon.

“It looks like we had a record turnout,” Chiles said. “It appears to be well organized, and we have a beautiful crowd of kids and great weather.

“Pine Avenue is the heart of the Island where people come to make memories generationally,” Chiles added.

Some of the people came from as far as Wales while other took the bridges from Bradenton and Sarasota. Many were vacationing, and residents were there with children and grandchildren.

One group brought their dog and everyone, including the dog, wore an Easter bonnet. They came from Pittsburgh and New York State.

“We didn’t know this was going on until we got here,” said Stacy McNealy. “When we learned about it, we went out and found bonnets for all of us.”

The winners of the children’s Easter bonnet contest were Sheema Gallamudi, first place, who won lunch for four kids at the Sandbar; Piper Chimeno, who won a gift from Beach Bums; and Lily O’Dea, who won a giant chocolate Easter bunny.

The adult bonnet winners were Nicole Henry, first place, who won a two-night stay at an Anna Maria Guest Home on Pine Avenue; Brenna Hightower, who won a golf cart rental from Beach Bums; and Mellody Russo, who won a Sunset Snack Pack from Olive Oil Outpost.