More than 1,000 people joined Northside Hospital-Cherokee at the hospital’s 26^th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza, Saturday, March 31, on the hospital grounds.  This year’s event proved to be the best ever, with perfect weather and many more activities for children and their families.

“Northside Hospital-Cherokee is honored to host the community each year with such a fun-filled event,” said Jan Johnson, chief nursing officer at Northside Hospital-Cherokee, who also volunteered at the event.  “Thank you to all of the families who came out to support the hospital and make this year’s Eggstravaganza such a success.”

The Northside Hospital-Cherokee Easter Eggstravaganza is a Cherokee County tradition.  This year, children and their parents enjoyed photos with the Easter Bunny, hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn, moon walks, carnival games, arts & crafts, sand arts, a magician, face painting, balloon artists, a petting zoo and more.  The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Canton Police Department and Canton Fire Department also brought their cruisers, trucks and bikes to entertain and educate the children.  New this year was a special entertainment section exclusively for toddlers.  Four separate Easter egg hunts were held to accommodate different age groups.

Nearly $1,800 was raised from the photos with the Easter Bunny, T-shirt sales and other donations.  All proceeds from the event benefit the Special Care Nursery at Northside Hospital-Cherokee, a Level II nursery that provides care for the newborns who require out-of-the-ordinary attention.  For the second year, Northside also collected diapers, wipes and other baby items for MUST Ministries in Cherokee.

Special thanks to the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Auxiliary, Morrison’s and Crystal Springs for sponsoring the event and to all of the hospital employees and community members who volunteered their time to make the event happen.

For more information about Northside Hospital-Cherokee’s continuum of care, visit www.northside.com.