Keep eyes peeled for eggs
Get your Easter basket ready for the many egg hunts taking place throughout Vancouver Island, Saturday and Sunday.
At one of the biggest hunts on Saturday is the Easter Egg Hunt for B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, where up to 500 children will try to find some of the 30,000 chocolate eggs hidden in a field at Beaver Lake Park.
This is the 19th year of the event, hosted by real estate company the Neal Estate Team.
Children can get their face painted, take part in craft activities and try to win hundreds of other prizes, including even larger chocolates and toys.
Proceeds from the event benefit the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“Apart from the good feeling of giving back, I love most the abundant squeals of delight and big smiles after the kids have scrambled and filled their baskets, knowing they have also all contributed to helping sick kids get better,” said Ron Neal, founder of the Neal Estate Team at RE/MAX Alliance.
There will be coffee, hot chocolate and hotdogs, the last provided by the Victoria Kinsmen Club.
Participation in the hunt is a $5 suggested donation, but no children will be turned away. Activities begin at 9:30 with the hunt starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, with different starting lines for different age groups at the lower parking lot (at the filter beds) of Beaver Lake Park. For more information, go to ronneal.com/easter.php.
While the children search for 45 kilograms of candy, the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank will fill up its shelves at the Oak Bay Easter Celebration on Saturday.
This is the sixth year of the event, organized by the Prime Real Estate team. Last year, the free event attracted more than 500 children whose parents donated nearly 100 kilograms of non-perishable food and more than $300 in cash.
Children can take part in candy hunts, have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny, practise crafts and get their face painted. They also get a chance to investigate an Oak Bay Police car or Oak Bay Fire Department truck.
Participation in the hunt comes with a donation of a non-perishable food item. Candy hunt start times are: 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. for children three and under; 11:45 a.m. to noon for four-to six-year-olds; noon to 12:15 p.m. for seven-to nine-yearolds, and 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. Saturday for children 10 and older in the park behind Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Ave. For information, go to primeteam.ca.
The Esquimalt Lions are again hosting their Lion’s Easter Extravaganza, Sunday at Esquimalt Gorge Park.
This promises to be an egg-ceptional event for the whole family, with entertainment, food, crafts, face-painting, an inflatable amusement (weather permitting) and a massive Easter Egg Hunt.
The event is free. It runs from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the park, 1070 Tillicum Rd., Esquimalt. For more information, go to Facebook.
For a list of other Easter events taking place on Vancouver Island, see page C9.