The Easter weekend in the Cowichan Valley offers plenty of fun for the whole family.
From rabbit-chasing to Easter egg hunting and even skating, crafts and train rides, it’s all available, much of it free of charge.
Crofton:
In Crofton children are invited to come out and chase the Easter rabbit.
On Saturday, March 26 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Crofton ballfields behind the community centre families can enjoy the annual Easter egg hunt, along with an obstacle course, bouncy castle and bouncy boxing.
There will be hot dogs, prizes and treats, and it’s all for free.
Chemainus:
North Cowichan’s Parks and Recreation department is partnering with the Chemainus Eagles to host an Easter Egg Hunt at Fuller Lake Park on Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m.
There will be a special section set up just for toddlers and small children so they don’t get bowled over in the excitement.
Duncan:
The B.C. Forest Discovery Centre is hopping into Easter with a weekend of fun activities for the whole family. The Easter Eggspress steam train will be running each day and everyone will get the chance to take part in the annual Easter Scavenger Hunt. There will also be appearances by the Easter bunny, informative educational experiences, goodie bags and the chance for the whole family to enjoy the museum and grounds.
“This event has been a popular spring tradition for over 10 years and become so popular that we expanded last year to the whole three-day Easter Weekend,” said centre manager Chris Gale. “What a fun way to kick off our new season.”
There will be a special admission rate of $6 for children under 12 and $8 for adults/seniors and youth. The Easter events take place March 26 to 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on the centre visit www.bcforestdiscoverycentre.com or call 250-715-1113.
Cowichan Station:
The HUB at Cowichan Station has received a matching offer from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program and will be celebrating with an Easter Sunday event for the whole family on March 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Easter at the HUB will includes a pancake breakfast, crafts, music from Mbira Spirit, clay crafts, cookie decorating activities, a silent auction and strawberry basket making. It will also include all sorts of Easter egg fun, including a traditional Easter egg hunt in the forest.
“What a great opportunity to have gourmet pancakes, crafts, music and Easter egg fun while helping a thriving community reach its fundraising goals. We are so glad The HUB has been awarded this $46,000 matching contribution. This fun community event will help us get there,” said Barry O’Riordan, executive director of the Cowichan Station Area Association, the local charity that runs The HUB.
“We want to invite the entire Cowichan Valley to come along to The HUB to support us and to have a great time this Easter Sunday.”
The funds will pay for TLC at the former Cowichan Station Elementary School, including re-painting the 100 year old schoolhouse, landscaping for safety, signage, and outdoor lighting. The project will also add community info boards to share “What’s HUB’ning” inside, and in the community. The $46,000 will only be released by the government once the HUB has raised $46,000 of its own.
About 500 people now use The HUB weekly for everything from Girl Guides to yoga to toddler music classes to pottery to live music and more.
Mill Bay:
Families in south Cowichan can head to an easter egg hunt at the Mill Bay Centre, Saturday, March 26.
Attendees should meet at Bru-Go’s Coffee Shop before 10 a.m., with their own basket. This event goes rain or shine and the Easter bunny will be there.
Folks can enjoy a “famous” Rotary Pancake Breakfast beside the coffee shop from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. before heading out with the rabbit.
This event is sponsored by the Mill Bay Merchants and South Cowichan Rotary.
Cobble Hill:
The Shawnigan and Cobble Hill Farmer’s Institute are getting into the Easter spirit with their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 27, sponsored this year by South Cowichan Storage.
“The Easter Bunny plans on leaving many fine eggs for those in their best Easter costume, the littlest egg hunter and more,” promises the group’s Facebook notice.
Everyone is invited to “hop on over” to the Cobble Hill Fair Grounds on Watson Avenue at 10 a.m.
Lake Cowichan:
Cowichan Lake Recreation invites members of the public to attend its annual Easter egg hunt on Monday, March 28. Children will have the opportunity to search for the colourful eggs rain or shine, with the hunt taking place in the ball field next to Centennial Hall, or inside the arena if weather conditions are poor.
Afterwards, there is a free public skate offered. (However, there is a fee for skate rentals.)
“It’s always a great turnout,” said recreation programmer Tanya Kaul, adding that the weather usually cooperates.
The activities kick off at 2:30 p.m. for the Easter egg hunt. The free skate begins at 3:30 p.m.