Flowers are blooming and colorful bonnets are flying off store shelves. It can only mean one thing: It’s time to celebrate Easter.
Whether you prefer to mark the resurrection of Jesus, the pagan fertility holidays or the return of spring, this weekend serves up a basketful of egg hunts and other activities sure to please youngsters and the young at heart, no matter your spiritual persuasion.
Here’s a list of events submitted to GO:
TODAY
• EASTER EGG HUNT: This candy-free hunt offers up fuzzy chicks, gnomes, handmade puppets and other surprises in plastic eggs hidden throughout the play space.
WHEN: 10 to 11 a.m.
WHERE: Peek-a-boo Children’s Center, Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge St., Suite 206, Westbrook
COST: $4 per person; free for infants under 6 months old
INFO: 854-3500
FRIDAY
• HANDPRINT EASTER LILIES: Using a handprint, children create paper lilies.
WHEN: 3 p.m.
WHERE: Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, 142 Free St., Portland
COST: $9 per person; free for children under 18 months old
INFO: kitetails.org
SATURDAY
• EARLY HOURS EASTER EGG HUNT: Get a jump on the day and get the kids searching for the 100 eggs hidden among the exhibits. Following the hunt, a story will be read and children can decorate an egg and create fluffy bunny art.
WHEN: 9 to 10 a.m.
WHERE: Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, 142 Free St., Portland
COST: $8 per child plus admission of $9 per person
INFO: Registration required at kitetails.org or 828-1234, Ext. 227
• CELEBRATE SPRING: Check out a selection of gardening vendors and enjoy a book signing of “The Painted Turtle” (10 a.m. to noon), learn how to compost (10:30 a.m.), discover the clematis vine (11:30 a.m.), take part in the Children’s Easter Bonnet Parade (1 p.m.) and find eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny during the Easter Egg Hunt (1:30 p.m.). Free doughnuts and coffee will be served, and lunch will be available for purchase.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Turner Public Library, Leavitt Institute Building, 98 Matthews Way, Turner
COST: Free
INFO: turnerpubliclibrary.org
• EASTER EGG HUNT AT WILBUR’S OF MAINE: Dig through mounds of hay for treat-filled eggs and meet Wilbur the Moose and the Easter Bunny. The event will be canceled should there be inclement weather.
WHEN: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, 174 Lower Main St., Freeport
INFO: 865-4071
COST: Free
• EASTER EVENTS: Enjoy a parade along Water Street, followed by children’s activities and an Easter Egg scavenger hunt.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Parade begins at Loads of Fun Laundromat; scavenger hunt and children’s activities take place throughout downtown Gardiner.
INFO: 582-3100
COST: Free
• EGG HUNT: Join in the annual scramble to find the eggs.
WHEN: 10 a.m.
WHERE: Saco Grange, 168 North St., Saco
INFO: sacogrange@yahoo.com
COST: Free
• EASTER FUN: Kids can count eggs, take part in Easter egg coloring, participate in word games and join the Easter egg hunt. Every child will leave with a gift bag. Event takes place rain or shine.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: North Atlantic Montessori School, 209 Western Ave., South Portland
INFO: 518-9573
COST: Free
• EASTER EGG HUNT: In addition to two egg hunts featuring 6,000 eggs (one for children up to age 2 and another for ages 12 and under), this event offers music, food, games, a cake walk and a bouncy house. Crusher of the Portland Red Claws will be there, too.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Road, Falmouth
COST: Free
INFO: 899-1426
• EASTER EGG HUNT: Children can search for more than 100 eggs. Lunch will be available for purchase. The hunt will be held in the barn in case of inclement weather.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Narramissic Historic Farm, Ingalls Road, Bridgton
INFO: 647-3699
COST: Free; donations accepted for the Bridgton Historical Society
SUNDAY
• SUGARLOAF EASTER SUNDAY: Kids can meet the Easter Bunny and create a paper egg to hang on the Easter tree from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Afterwards, groups of two to three can participate in a scavenger hunt around the base area. At noon, the Easter Bunny and others in costume can take part in a parade, with prizes awarded.
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to noon
WHERE: Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley
COST: Free
INFO: sugarloaf.com
• SUNDAY RIVER EASTER EGG HUNT: Children can take part in an Easter Egg Hunt and meet the Easter Bunny. Since it’s the last day the resort is open, everyone can enjoy free skiing and riding all day.
WHEN: 9 a.m.
WHERE: Perfect Turn Ski and Ride School learning area, Sunday River Ski Resort, Newry
COST: Free
INFO: sundayriver.com
Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at:
akamila@pressherald.com
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