VALDOSTA — Residents came out to Drexel Park Saturday to hide rocks for children to find for the South Georgia Rocks! First Easter Rock Hunt.

More than 100 people came out and more than 1,000 rocks were hidden in the morning, Patsy Casteen said.

The event was a way to have members of South Georgia Rocks! do something for the children in the community, she said.

“I just wanted it to be fun for everyone as rock members,” Casteen said. “I basically wanted to do something for the kids this time.”

The park was separated into two sections. One area was for children 5 and younger. The other area was for children 6-14.

Casteen separated the park so older children wouldn’t interfere with younger children searching for rocks.

“I just wanted to do it so everyone wouldn’t be running over each other,” she said.

Nova Patterson, 4, found one of the prize-winning rocks.

“It’s called a prize rock and I can’t wait for the surprise,” she said jumping with excitement. “I just can’t wait.”

The rock she found was painted like a hamburger. Other prize-winning rocks were painted like hotdogs or had the words “golden egg” written on them.

Some of the prizes available included bubbles and various candies.

Sarah Purvis, Patterson’s mother, brought her daughter out because she participates in other South Georgia Rocks! events.

“We paint and hide (rocks) outside of this,” Purvis said. “She’s more excited about this than the Easter egg hunt.”

South Georgia Rocks! is a locally operated group that was officially created in November 2017, Casteen said. For more information, find South GA Rocks! on Facebook. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.