The annual tradition of Oxford’s Easter Egg Hunt will take place a day early this year. Due to a scheduling conflict with FNC Park, the Oxford Park Commission made the decision to  move the egg hunt up a day.

A softball tournament scheduled for April 20 forces the event to move from its normal Saturday morning slot to a Good Friday evening affair. The egg hunt will now take place on April 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The United States Specialty Sports Association is holding a fastpitch softball tournament at FNC Park called Angels 4 Autism all day on April 20. With 37 teams participating, it will require all the fields and parking spaces, leaving no room for the egg hunt to occur simultaneously.

The Oxford Police Department and Fire Department also display vehicles during the event for kids to see and explore, but the event on Saturday will not allow enough space in the parking lots for these vehicles  either.

“(We) felt like the vehicles were too important not to keep,” OPC community relations director John Davis said. “We were very excited that we could still get Community Church out to help volunteer with the event overall. It may make for an even better experience to have it in the evening. As good as our attendance has been, starting at 5:30 may prevent some parents from arriving late. We’ve had some arrive just as we get started since it has been in the morning.”

The Easter Egg Hunt is free to the public, as always, and the Easter Bunny will be on site for photos.