Easter weekend is often about getting together with your family and there are plenty of opportunities for family fun in Campbell River this weekend.
This Saturday (March 26), the Campbell River Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) is hosting the city’s annual Easter Event, which starts at 11 a.m. with an Easter egg hunt in Ostler Park.
“It’s a community event and the kids love it — they come out in droves,” said Jan Wade, the Downtown BIA’s secretary and events co-ordinator. “I think one year we had 600 children.”
Bubbles and Easter baskets will be given out to the first 300 children, and there will be coffee and goodies courtesy of ReMax Check Realty while everyone waits for the Easter Bunny and for the Easter egg hunt to start.
Following the hunt, families can walk over to Spirit Square for an afternoon of fun activities, including The Fun Swing, Bounce-a-Rama, Doco Adventure Train, a bean bag toss put on by Gateway Foursquare Church, an Animal Activity Farm with chicks, bunnies and goats courtesy of Carol Chapman, and photos with the Easter Bunny by donation to the food bank. There will also be appearances by Shoo Shoo the Clown, Captain Thunderpants and Jim Chisholm.
New this year is a photo board with face cutouts. As well, there will be face painting by Detailed Face Painting and Amy Louise Face Painting.
Marine Harvest will be hosting a salmon barbecue, with donations going to the Campbell River Killer Whales swim club. More options for food include Bee’s Knees Donuts, Glen’s Kettle Korn and Bounce-a-Rama cotton candy.
From noon to 2 p.m., the Campbell River Art Gallery will be offering Easter crafts.
Wade says this is the sixth year the Downtown BIA has been hosting the Easter Event.
“It’s our first big outdoor event of the year,” she said. “It’s a good day.”
For more information about the event, visit www.downtowncampbellriver.com.
On Saturday afternoon (March 26), Strathcona Gardens is hosting an Easter egg hunt with a twist — it will be underwater. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the pool will be filled with hundreds of floating and sinking Easter eggs, which can be turned in for prizes. The event costs $2.
Balance Equestrian Centre invites families to enjoy Easter at the Farm Monday (March 28) from noon to 2 p.m.
“It’s the third year we’ve done it,” said owner Susan Gosnell. “We want to welcome people to the farm and give kids a different experience.”
There will be an Easter egg hunt at noon and horse and pony rides from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Easter egg hunt and the pony rides each cost $5. Photos with the Easter bunny will be offered by Evelyn Jane Photography from noon to 2 p.m. and will be printed on site for $10.
In addition, there will be free activities such as a petting farm, chicken feeding, a haystack treat dive, games and free hair-dos from the ladies at Industry Hair and Body Care. There will be a marshmallow roast and hot dogs, popcorn and hot and cold drinks will be available.
“We try to have a balance of paid events and free activities,” said Gosnell.
Gosnell encourages anyone coming to the barn to wear boots and bring a basket or bag to collect treats.
Partial proceeds from the family day will go towards sponsoring a rider to take part in the therapeutic riding program.
Balance Equestrian Centre is located at 2105 Shetland Rd. and the barn is across the street on Walworth Road. The ticket booth will open 10-15 minutes before noon. To learn more, visit www.balanceequestrian.ca.
Holly Hill Farm, run by Katie and Kyle Denne, is hosting its annual family-friendly Easter Event all weekend long (March 25-28), and the event, which features a barnyard tour followed by an Easter egg hunt, is already officially booked up.
There is a waiting list in case anyone who has registered cancels and anyone interested can email hollyhillfarmcr@gmail.com or contact the Dennes through the farm’s Facebook page.
After Easter, Holly Hill Farm will begin its weekly barnyard tours April 3. The tours will take place every Sunday except April 10 and cost $8 per person, with optional horseback rides costing an additional $5 each.
For more information, visit www.hollyhillfarmcampbellriver.com.
