Morning snow flurries and cool winds did not delay the Easter Bunny’s arrival to the annual Eggstravaganza at the Berks County Heritage Center. March 28 may have yielded a wintry weather feel outdoors, but it did not keep away families eager to celebrate spring with the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department.
The Easter Bunny sat in his throne on the top floor of the barn, in the Hiester Canal Center – posing for photographs with the kids. Palmer, the sponsor, provided treats for all the children that visited with the bunny. Volunteers were on hand inside, to share information on the historic property and upcoming events.
A sign upon entry on the property playfully reminded attendees that “this is not an egg hunt,” despite what the name suggests. Instead, the “eggstravanza” refers to indoor egg decorating in the basement of the barn. The energy and sounds that enveloped the barn were from dozens of children eager for spring, their winter jackets and hats the only reminder of the cool day outside.
First phase of the Easter egg workshop, kids chose their grass color. Volunteers laid four white eggs on top and sent you down the lane. They got the opportunity to decorate the eggs themselves, with Q-tips and paint. Children could also choose from 5 color dyes – trading in their white eggs for eggs pre-colored by the volunteers in large basins of dye. Some eggs were more unique than others, thanks in part to rubber bands artistically placed prior to the dying. Perhaps more convenient for the littler ones was a technique called crayon resist – which involves dying over crayon drawings on an egg.
Children’s Crafts were also available, again offering an opportunity to get excited about spring. Activities included a bunny, bunny ears, a handprint butterfly, or flower project. Chocolate bunny prizes were drawn randomly from an entry box every twenty minutes to add to the excitement of the event.
In addition to optional pony rides, the Appalachian Pet Farm had a sampling of its animals available for discovery. Children had the opportunity to pet rabbits, birds, and goats. A popular participant in many of the parks’ events, The Reading Juggling Club entertained attendees outside the barn, occasionally encouraging a brave child to learn how to juggle.
A few families embraced the green grass that only recently replaced the white mounds of snow – wandering down by the river, with Wertz’s Covered Bridge in the near distance. As with most of the Berks County Parks’ events, nearly all activities were free with the exception of a parking donation.
Mark your calendars for the next annual Berks County tradition – “Go Fly A Kite! Day” on Sunday, April 26 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Berks County Youth Recreation Facility. This day offers family-oriented kite contests, workshops, and demos. Watch the professionals or bring along your own kite – to fly among hundreds of others in celebration of National Kite month.
The Parks and Recreation County department is responsible for providing recreational opportunities as well as addressing the interpretive and educational needs of the county’s parks, facilities, and historic sites.
