Dogs and their owners will have a chance to participate in Easter festivities during the third annual Paws in the Park Easter Egg Hunt April 12 at Ritter Park in Huntington.

The Paws in the Park Easter Egg Hunt is a free event hosted by the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District.

“I am a big dog lover, everyone at the Park District is,” said Lauren Carte, development and recreation manager for the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District. “I just thought with Huntington being the dog-friendly city that it is that this would be a perfect event.”

Each year, Carte said she starts by placing an order for treat-filled eggs, but this year, due to increasing popularity, she said she ordered an extra thousand eggs, increasing the total from 2,000 to 3,000 eggs.

The Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District also goes out and purchases doggie-themed prizes that the pups can win if they find a special egg. The treat eggs come pre-filled, and the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District stuffs over 50 eggs with “special prize” tickets for the dogs to find, Carte said.

“We also put together three prize baskets for the winners of the Easter Best Costume Contest,” Carte said. “There is a prize for the funniest, most original and best overall.”

Over 300 dogs and their owners attended last year’s Paws in the Park Easter Egg Hunt, Carte said.

“We are hoping for great weather and a big crowd,” Carte said. “I would love to see hundreds of dogs and their owners again this year.”

Animal Care Clinic helps donate prizes for this event each year, and the Target of Barboursville also helps donate some treat-filled eggs and prizes. The Huntington Stormwater Utility attends the event and distributes free dog waste bags to the guests.

“We would love to see lots of Marshall students and their four-legged companions there,” Carte said.

Piper White can be contacted at [email protected].