It didn't pay to be late for Saturday's Easter egg hunt at Arena Park.

"It takes them three minutes to pick the field," said Schnucks manager Dennis Marchi. "When they're done, there's not a dandelion or a scrap of paper left."

Roughly 3,000 children participated in the 12th annual hunt sponsored by Schnucks, Pepsi and Zimmer Radio Group. The hunt divides children 2 to 8 years old into three groups and lets them loose at three intervals on a 60-by-100-foot grassy area on the count of three.

"It's fun. We enjoy doing it," Marchi said. "The plastic eggs go fast. We put out about 500 per age group."

Prepared to get his share of those 500 eggs, 8-year-old Andrew Miller had a plastic sack tucked into his pants pocket in case he filled his bucket.

Like a baseball player stealing bases, Andrew, in position, anxiously listened for the countdown. The Alma Schrader third-grader said he was set on getting a lot of treats to share with his parents and sister.

"We've been coming out since Andrew was old enough," said his mother, Sandy Miller of Cape Girardeau.

The Millers usually go to both the Capaha Park and Schnucks egg hunt, but missed last week's egg hunt.

"It's kind of a tradition in our family, and it's really wonderful that Schnucks donates a lot of nutritious and fun stuff too for the kids," Miller said.

Preparation for the egg hunt begins two months in advance, securing products from various companies. A 24-foot truck about three-quarters full was unloaded, and 13 people dispersed the snacks and supervised the chidren equipped with baskets ready to hunt.

Rhonda White, who came with 8-year-old DJ, said their afternoon would be spent coloring Easter eggs. The Chaffee residents have been coming to the Easter egg hunt almost every year. But for DJ's 4-year-old cousin, Ean, it was the first time.

White's sister, Colleen Puffington, said, "I was surprised there was that much stuff out there."

For Andrew's group, the three minutes passed, and the hunters happily returned with their loot.

"The smile -- that's what it's all about," his mother said.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133