ROCHESTER — The Tenth Ward Tigers held an Easter egg hunt at Edgerton Park in Rochester on March 29, 2026. About 1,500 plastic eggs were scattered across the athletic fields for children to collect during the free community event.
The event was open to anyone and featured grilled burgers and hot dogs, candy, football signups, informational handouts, and free haircuts from two local barbershops. Sponsors included Dream Cuts Barbershop, Brothers & Sisters Unisex Salon, Sweet Ida Mae’s Pantry, and Tenth Ward Tigers Youth Sports. Marcus Perkins, owner of Dream Cuts Barbershop and known as Coach Cannon, provided haircuts on-site using a portable barber’s chair.
Ahjah Harper, president of the Tenth Ward Tigers, said the organization aims to build lasting relationships with youth and families. "They form really great relationships with these coaches, and these coaches are always there for whatever they need. They know they can call us. They need a ride, they’re short of food, mom needs a few bucks ‘til next week — they know they can call us."
Harper noted the group used to host more community events before the COVID pandemic but has struggled to regain that momentum. He also expressed appreciation for the city’s support while raising concerns about safety. "We love what the city does do for us. We just want to know when they’re going to make it safer for the people."
The Tenth Ward Tigers operate in Pop Warner and other youth football leagues and include about 125 children across football and cheer programs. The organization, whose roots trace back to the late 1960s when Rochester used ward designations, works year-round to keep participants engaged in a positive environment. The city of Rochester allows the group to use Edgerton Park’s fields at no cost.
Joseph Powell, vice president of the Tenth Ward Tigers and involved with the organization since the late 1990s, emphasized their commitment to all children, not just the most skilled. "We’re also working with everybody, not the kids we know know how to play, but the other ones that are going to need more work because there’s gems in there, you just got to bring it out sometimes." He added, "Sometimes you spend more time with your organization than with your own family, especially when your kids kind of outgrow the youth level and they get into high school and everything else."
Marcus Perkins, who grew up in the area, said he participates to give back. "Especially in the area that we are, you know, it’s a lot of underprivileged kids and I grew up underprivileged, so if I can give back, I give back." He warned of the risks of negative peer influences: "Some of these kids, they can be good kids and then next thing you know, a straight A student hanging around with the wrong crowd, boom he’s in trouble — legal trouble. And we don’t want to see them go down that road."