Families from the Santa Clarita Valley gathered at the Aquatic Center for the annual Splash N’ Dash Egg Hunt on April 4th at 10am. This city-run Easter event blends holiday celebration with poolside fun. Held in part of the SCV community’s spring festivities, the event brought children, parents, volunteers and staff together for a morning of egg hunts, prizes and family activities, all in a setting that gave the traditional Easter Egg Hunt a different twist.
This event offers a break from families’ usual busy weekend schedules, which are often filled to the brim with hectic plans. Because Splash N’ Dash takes place during a holiday weekend, it can feel more special than a typical outing. Events like this reflect Santa Clarita’s identity as a safe, family-oriented community.
Now in its 15th year, Splash N’ Dash has become a local tradition due to its unique concept of being around water. Instead of the traditional hunt in grassy fields, children collected eggs in and around the pool, making it part of the attraction. Event Manager Jacob Acosta explained that the novel approach has been at the center of the event since it first began.
“This event started with the idea of getting an event tied into the holiday,” Acosta stated. “Other areas of the city have their events, and we wanted to be part of that. To stay true to our aquatic scene, we thought, ‘what better way to do that than by combining an Easter egg hunt with water?’”
The biggest reason Splash N’ Dash has lasted so long is community support. “100% it is the community,” Acosta relays. “We couldn’t do what we do if there wasn’t excitement and involvement from our residents and their families.” He added that attendance is one of the event’s biggest challenges: not because turnout is low, but because participation keeps growing. To manage demand, organizers divided children into age groups and used a structured schedule to keep the event moving safely and efficiently. Additionally, lifeguards and staff played a major role in keeping the event on track. From sending eggs down the waterslide to helping kids exchange them for prizes, the staff’s teamwork allows the event to run smoothly each year.
Local organizations also helped support the event. Pav Chinchilla, a registered nurse at Kaiser Permanente, relayed her experience: “We are here to support the event and to support the community,” Chinchilla explained. She elaborated that volunteering at the event felt especially meaningful because she and her son both wanted to give back to their community. “It was a great opportunity to come out and be able to cheer and help out,” she said.
Chinchilla also explained that the family-centered nature of Splash N’ Dash makes it stand out from other events Kaiser Permanente volunteers attend. “I think this is nice because it’s focusing on family and kids,” she verified. “Families are coming out and enjoying their time, having fun, getting prizes, and it’s a pool event. I think that’s unique.” Kaiser Permanente volunteers handed out free items such as tote bags, sunscreen, chapstick and stickers.
Alongside professional and adult volunteers, student volunteers also helped make the event possible. Rancho Pico Junior High Student Raina Kim highlighted the importance of volunteering, as it allows people to support others in the community. For Kim, volunteering remains meaningful because “it’s fun… it makes me happy to see them happy.”
West Ranch Freshman Sai Tej Chikati shared a similar perspective. Learning about Splash N’ Dash through the Santa Clarita volunteer portal, he chose to volunteer because he wanted to help out in his community and be part of an event that children would remember. Chikati commented, “Volunteering is important to me because it’s a way that you can give back to your community that has served you for so long.” He also noted that the event seemed fun, which made it even more appealing to join.
Looking ahead, Acosta hopes the event will continue to grow alongside the city. As Santa Clarita’s population increases, he and other organizers plan to keep promoting and expanding Splash N’ Dash so that more families can participate. Based on the turnout this year and the enthusiasm from organizers, volunteers and parents alike, Splash N’ Dash has secured its place as one of Santa Clarita’s most recognizable Easter traditions.
