Easter in the Park is returning to Sarnia.
Hosted by the city and Seaway Kiwanis Club, the annual event in Canatara Park – effectively on hold for two years amid COVID-19 – again features egg hunts, crafts, egg decorating and entertainers.
“This event has been happening for over 50 years and certainly, within recent memory, it’s really the first time we’ve had to pivot and adapt,” Sarnia community services co-ordinator Rachel Veilleux said about virtual scavenger hunts and social media campaigns held in the interim.
This spring’s will be the event’s 52nd year in Sarnia, she said, “so we’re very excited to see it come back in person, to be able to see all the children and their families come out to celebrate.”
Along with three hunts for plastic colored eggs redeemable for candy and activity sheets, ceramic eggs will be hidden this year that can be taken to Crock-a-Doodle at the Real Canadian Superstore to be painted free of charge, Veilleux said.
Organizers are eschewing face-painting and instead demonstrating pysanka, or Ukrainian Easter eggs, in another new addition this year, she said.
“While we’re very excited to see (COVID-19) lifting restrictions, we did want to take this activity in a different direction for this year by offering something new,” she said.
The egg painting is “incredibly intricate and unique,” she said, “and, given current world events, we felt like it was fitting.”
Turnout is hard to predict amid the ongoing pandemic, she said.
“We know we’re still not quite out of this pandemic yet, so there might be a whole mix of emotions.”
Organizers are hoping for at least a few hundred, she said.
“We’re really excited just to welcome everybody back and celebrate Easter, celebrate spring, celebrate moving forward.”
Other attractions include performances by Circus Johnathan, hotdogs and refreshments for sale by the Kiwanis club, and train rides, officials said in a news release.
Easter in the Park is scheduled for April 16 from 9 am to noon by the Children’s Animal Farm. The Easter Bunny kicks off the egg hunt at 10 am, organizers said.
A section for kids four and younger, and for those with accessibility needs, will be at the Seaway Kiwanis Pavilion. Another section for those ages five to seven will be by the playground while a third for those eight and older will be by the BMX track, the release stated, noting attendees are encouraged to bring their own baskets.