I've always considered the egg beating to be more about the eggs, rather than the people, the goal being to find the hardest/luckiest egg. I mean, in the end they all (but one, traditionally) get eaten and for that you need to crack them. So why not make it fun?
I think most of the young people you saw were there just because it's tradition, not because of belief in a deity. Fire, eggs, lots of people... it's a good way to spend an evening. A good old way...
These "early lighters" either don't know the tradition or don't want to wait. I'm noticing a trend - too much people want to light their candles directly from the priest, causing both a tightly packed crowd around the priests and a delay in the spread of the fire... It's just not nice. And yes, usually you are supposed to take the flame home, but it's not always easy. Still, if you know how to use the plastic cup (i.e. don't cut to big a hole; keep the flame near the bottom, not at rim level (well duh)) it's doable. I got home with half an inch left, after three circles around Sedmochislenitzi church (which though smaller, bottlenecks people at the back side). If you live further away, get a second candle and switch them. Though to reach all the way to Mladost I think you'd have to get an oil lamp :P