By Sheila Nykwist
Lucky thing Easter takes place over four days because there are so many activities happening in the Cowichan Region. And you’ll want to attend them all!
We’ve put together a list to make it a little easier to plan your schedule this Easter long weekend (March 30 – April 2.)
All Aboard!
The Easter Eggspress is rolling into the BC Forest Discovery Centre March 31st, April 1st and 2nd from 10 AM – 4 PM.
You can ride the Green Hornet train as many times as you like, complete a Scavenger Hunt to win a goodie bag full of Easter Treats, make some crafts, and have a whole lot of fun! Visit the concession for pizza by the slice.
Admission: $6 for kids 3 to 12 yrs. /$8 for adults/seniors/youth (2 and under are free.)
The Hunt is On!
10 am on March 31st is when the hunt for chocolate eggs begins at Fuller Lake Park. Bring the whole family out to participate!
The Municipality of North Cowichan is creating an even playing field for toddlers with a separate area to search for eggs.
This year’s event is sponsored by the Chemainus-Crofton #4400 Fraternal Order of Eagles
Easter At The Orchard
The whole family is invited to Merridale this Easter for great fun AND great food.
You might want to think about starting the day with a delicious brunch that includes Easter-inspired specials before taking on Merridale’s Easter Word Scavenger Hunt.
With a map in hand, head into the orchard and find words that make up a special sentence. Once you’ve figured it out, come back to the farmhouse for a prize! Mmmm. I wonder what it is?
If you’d like to gather the family together for Easter Dinner but aren’t completely inspired to do the cooking . . . Merridale is to the rescue. They are hosting a family-style Easter dinner on Sunday. Check out the menu.
Hunt & Skate
Cowichan Lake Recreation is hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt & Free Skate this year on Easter Monday, April 2.
Lace up your shoes for the Easter Egg Hunt starting at 2:30 p.m. at Centennial Park and then lace up your skates for free skating at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena. (Skate rentals are extra.)
Easter At The Hub
A jam-packed Easter Sunday is planned at The Hub at Cowichan Station.
From 9 am – 1 pm April 1st, gain free entry and enjoy live music.
Purchase tickets for a wide-range of activities to help with the local fundraiser.
Participate in a forest egg hunt, bounce around in a bouncy castle, get your face painted, work on a birdhouse project in the wood workshop, chow down on some pancakes and save room for popcorn later!
The HUB Film Club will have a collection of 4000 DVDs which you can peruse and purchase for $1 each.
All funds raised will help renovate upstairs rooms in the original schoolhouse and bring even more community programs and activities.
Easter On The Farm
Well, you don’t necessarily have to be an early bird to race for your eggs at Bird’s Eye Cove this Easter. Egg hunts will be running every hour starting at 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. And if you are under 5 years old, you get a hunt all of your own. Children 6 – 12 will be grouped together.
Along with the egg hunts, there will be face painting, egg decorating, colouring, a bouncy castle AND farm tours to visit your favourite furry friends. I’m sure you’ll want to say hi to the Berkshire pigs, Highland cows, and chickens!
With all the activity, you’ll want to keep your energy levels up, so head over to the outdoor cook shed for some delicious, made-from-scratch wood fire pizzas, available from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
While you’re re-energizing, sit back and enjoy the live music of Terry Brennham and Amoray.
Tea, coffee and other goodies will also be available.
Admission $5 per person. Children under 3 are free.
B.Y.O.B. – Bring Your Own Basket
Get your Easter Basket ready and head over to Shawnigan Lake Community Centre on April 1 for some “Eggsellent” Activities!
The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 1 pm. Gym doors open at 12:30 pm.
Everyone is asked to bring a non- perishable food item for the local food bank.
Pancakes and (Chocolate) Eggs
Come out to Mill Bay Centre March 31st for an Easter Egg Hunt starting at 10 a.m.
Participants will be lining up in front of Bru-Go’s Coffee. Make sure you get there early with your basket in hand, to claim your spot on the start line!
As tradition would have it, the Rotary Pancake Breakfast will offer up their classic favourite speciality from 8:30 am – 11 am. Sponsored by South Cowichan Rotary & Mill Bay Merchant’s Association.
