As with the return of songbirds and melting of the snow, the littering of tiny plastic eggs scattered across lawns throughout the country is a sure sign that spring has arrived.

This weekend, families living in Niles, Dowagiac and the greater Cass County area will have several chances to get outside and participate in one of the season’s most popular pastimes: Easter egg hunts.

On Saturday, the Berrien County Civitan Club will host its annual Easter egg hunt, beginning at noon at Riverfront Park in Niles. Children ages 2 through 10 can participate in the search for plastic eggs, filled with everything from candy to gift certificates. Eggs will be placed in roped-off areas and split up into four age groups: 2, 3-4, 5-7 and 8-10.

On that same day, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce will also host its 16th-annual Easter Eggstravaganza, from 10:30 a.m. at Beckwith Park in downtown Dowagiac. The Easter egg hunt, for children 2 through 10, begins at noon, with children 2-5 gathering eggs near the gazebo while 6-10 in the back lawn. In addition to the hunt, children will have the chance to visit with the Easter Bunny, participate in the “Be a Bunny” costume contest, and enjoy several other activities.

Finally, T.K. Lawless Park will host its Spring Egg-stravaganza event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, at its park grounds in Vandalia. The event will feature two Easter egg hunts: one for children ages 2-4 that will take place around 11:30 a.m., and a second for children 5-10 around an hour later. It will also have a litany of activities for children to enjoy, including petting zoo set up by Mesko Farms, an arts and crafts table, face painting, wagon rides, a 20-foot inflatable slide and a bonfire area.

Between these three events, families across Berrien and Cass counties should have some way to occupy what is sure to be a bright and pleasant Saturday morning. We encourage parents to let their children enjoy the spring weather in a fun, cheap and safe manner.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.