By MICHAEL J. BROOKS

Special to the Reporter

HOOVER – Valleydale Church in Hoover will sponsor its sixth annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 15. And according to Martha Piedra, Valleydale’s preschool ministries director for the past 12 years, the event has grown each year.

“This is a fun event for all who come,” Piedra said. “It’s a ministry of our church to our community, and all the children who come have fun in a safe environment.”

Children from Valleydale’s Mother’s Day Out program and from the English as a Second Language ministry have special invitations, but all children from the community are welcomed, according to Piedra.

She said some 300-400 children come to the event every year from throughout Shelby and Jefferson counties.

“We’ve had to move the event to several locations over the years because it has grown,” Piedra said. “We’re happy so many boys and girls come and have a good time with us.”

The Valleydale event is actually three events according to ages of the children.

For toddlers through age 3, the hunt is at 10:30 a.m. For children age 4-6, the hunt is at 11 a.m. And for children age 7-11, the hunt is at 11:30 a.m.

In addition to the egg hunt, the church is providing inflatable games and snack items, including popcorn and candy.

“All the children need to do is dress for the weather and bring their Easter baskets,” Piedra said.

Additionally, the church will have Good Friday worship at 6:30 p.m. on April 14 and Easter services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on April 16.

Valleydale Church is located at 2324 Valleydale Road in Hoover. The church website is Valleydale.org, and the telephone number is 991-5282.