{"id":228689,"date":"2026-03-20T15:41:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T15:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/228689\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T15:41:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T15:41:49","slug":"audible-easter-egg-hunt-marks-ten-years-of-inclusion-joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/228689\/","title":{"rendered":"Audible Easter Egg Hunt Marks Ten Years of Inclusion, Joy"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a decade, the sound of beeping eggs has signaled something special each spring in East Bakersfield. That tradition continued today as students, families, educators, and community partners gathered at the Police Activities League for the 10th Annual Audible Easter Egg Hunt. The event is designed to ensure that students with visual impairments can experience the excitement of a traditional egg hunt in an accessible, welcoming, and joyful way.<\/p>\n

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Since 2016, the Bakersfield Police Department\u2019s Bomb Squad has partnered with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) to bring the event to life. While the eggs resemble traditional Easter eggs, their unique beeping sound allows students with visual impairments to locate them independently, transforming a familiar holiday tradition into an inclusive celebration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe longevity of this event reflects a shared commitment to belonging,\u201d said Alison Hall, Principal of Special Education Programs at KCSOS. \u201cIt gives students with visual impairments the chance to enjoy moments many take for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to returning districts, the 2026 event included students who were previously enrolled through KCSOS programs and have since transitioned back to their home districts. One such student is Landon, who now attends Columbia Elementary in the Fruitvale School District.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith district students being invited, Landon and the rest of his classmates can attend and participate in such a wonderful event,\u201d said Oukju Lee, a KCSOS itinerant teacher who works with students with visual impairments across the county. \u201cWe truly appreciate that the Bakersfield Police Department holds this wonderful and exciting yearly event for our visually impaired students.\u201d<\/p>\n

The morning also featured food, prizes, interactive activities, and community partners who helped create a full celebration for students and families.<\/p>\n

For Bakersfield Police Department Bomb Squad member Juan Orozco, the 10th year of the Audible Easter Egg Hunt is a meaningful milestone and a reminder of how the event began.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn Easter egg hunt designed specifically for blind children didn\u2019t exist here, so we built one,\u201d he said. \u201cOur team came together to create audible Easter eggs, making it possible for blind children to participate in a way that was truly designed for them. I\u2019m grateful and thankful that we\u2019ve reached this milestone.\u201d<\/p>\n

To commemorate the anniversary, organizers created a special bunny-shaped challenge coin featuring a bomb suit design, with proceeds supporting the event and helping ensure the tradition continues.<\/p>\n

Looking back over the past decade, Orozco said the moments that stand out most are the smiles from the students and their families.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching the joy on the faces of the kids and their families is what makes it all worth it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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