EASTER BRINGS BIG WEEKEND TO OROVILLE
OROVILLE >> There’s lots of COVID-safe public events happening this weekend so grab your Easter bonnets or baskets, family and friends and hop out of the house for some fun.
Friday Spring Fling
Kicking off the weekend is Downtown Oroville’s Spring Fling First Friday event from 4 to 8 p.m.
Stores will extend their hours and showcase new merchandise, offer some “spring cleaning”
deals and some light refreshments. Some of the restaurants will also offer special First Friday menu items and special Spring Fling cocktails. Joe’s Lunch To Go food truck will also be set up with tables serving outside of Gold City Vintage.
“We’re happy to bring First Fridays back. This is the perfect time of year to get out and about to enjoy everything downtown Oroville has to offer,” said Robin Zanon, Downtown Oroville president.
In addition to the shopping and food the event will also include
live music and dance performances.
Emma Garrahy and Will Hartman, “Emma and Will,” will be performing in front of the State Theatre and Bob Harrison will be playing outside of Bird Street Vendors. Max Minardi will be making music inside the Union Patio Bar & Grill.
Dancers from the Strive Dance & Performing Arts studio will be performing throughout the event in the studio which will be open to the public during the event. The Northern California Ballet dancers will be on their toes performing in the
window of Consign/Design.
The Axiom Youth Center will be selling fresh flowers and, along with Brushstrokes Arts Studio, will be set up for Spring Fling attendees to take some “fun selfies,” according to Heather Johnson, Downtown Oroville board member.
“People have been asking for a more immersive experience during First Fridays so we’re excited to add more community music and performing arts to make the event more alive and entertaining while people are walking around,” said Johnson.
Saturday Egg Hunt, Festival and Walking Tour
On Saturday it’s all about Easter eggs, wildf lowers and history.
Oroville Eagles FOE 196 is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt starting at 11 a.m. in Hewitt Park, 2101 Baldwin Ave. For fairness and safety, the hunt will be separated into four age groups: 1 month to 2 years, 3 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years and 8 to 10 years — for fairness and safety. The Easter Bunny will be there to greet children and for photos.
An hour before the Easter Bunny makes his appearance at Hewitt Park, the 13th Annual Feather River Recreation and Park District Wildflower and Nature Festival will open with 45 vendor and informational booths at Riverbend Park. The festival is open until 4 p.m. and admission is free.
For public safety COVIDmodifications including appropriate booth distancing and extra hand washing stations throughout the site will be in place. While this is an outdoor event, attendees will be required to wear facemasks.
“We have a wonderful group of commercial vendors selling hand- made and natural items including jewelry, crafts soaps, candles, plants, home décor and organic skin care. We also have artists this year with many different types of art including resin art and both spray paint and canvas art,” said Victoria Anton, FRRPD executive administrator.
Local resource groups and service organizations including the Lake Oroville Area Garden Club, Feather River Nature Center and the Feather River Lapidary
Society among others will also be on hand with information and educational resource materials.
The Forebay Aquatic Center is joining the fun this year offering kayak tours along the Feather River. The tours are $20 per person and include all the necessary equipment plus a shuttle to the tour starting point at the Feather River Hatchery. Advance reservations are required and available at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/kayak-trips-orovillewildflower
“We will also have live acoustic music by the Strung Nugget Gang and the Feather River Gypsies in our brand spanking new amphitheater,” said Anton.
The Artists of Rivertown will be offering a free guided painting activity for all ages in the Salmon Pavilion and the Oroville Rock Facebook Group will be hosting a free rock painting in the Little Bear Pavilion.
Food vendors on site for the festival include Green Paradise Deli Café, K & P Kickin’ Kettle Corn, Chirros Deisy, Spun Organic Cotton Candy and Dippin’ Dots.
“This is a really great opportunity for families to get out, enjoy the park and appreciate the beauty and natural resources of Butte County,” said Anton.
Capping off the weekend public activities is the First Saturday Downtown Oroville Walking Tour. The free tour starts at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium, 1200 Myers St. No advance reservation is required.
On this month’s tour Danny Tovar will lead the walk down Miners Alley then Bird Street to see and even get a peek inside some of the city’s historic pioneer homes including The Sparks Home, The Vandergrift Home, The Hecker Home, Judge Grays House, The Marks House, The Reece Home and The Boynton house.