A massive Easter egg hunt at California’s state Capitol was intended to set a world record but turned chaotic as combative parents stepped in to snatch eggs themselves, leaving crying children in their wake, according to participants.

Organizers had set out more than 500,000 plastic, multicolored eggs on the Capitol grounds Saturday with the goal of breaking the Guinness record for the world’s largest egg hunt.

Children brought their own baskets to hold the eggs they found, which they could later exchange for candy and prizes. But the joyous event quickly turned ugly.

Some parents shoved their way into the hunt and scooped up all the eggs they could get their hands on, according to CBS Sacramento. Arguments broke out over whether adults should be permitted to help their children, the Sacramento Bee reported.


The frenzy prompted organizers to make an announcement urging parents to stay out of the hunt.

In the end, the event -- sponsored by the nonprofit Blue Heart International -- failed to set a world record.

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