Easter events, hunts set

Winchester — The time is coming for colorful eggs, candy and the Easter bunny with a variety of local events planned.

March 16

The Stephens City Hop-Inwill be held from 2 to 4 p.m. March 16 at Newtown Commons. The event includes an Easter egg hunt, games, face painting, the Easter bunny and refreshments — all for children in the third grade and younger, their families and friends. The hunt for preschoolers and kindergartners begins at 2:15 p.m. and at 2:45 p.m. for the older children.

Apple Blossom Mall will have its Easter Celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16 at the J.C. Penney court. The free event will feature children’s activities, crafts, light refreshments, and the Easter bunny. For more information, call 540-665-0202.

The Easter bunny arrives at the mall March 9 and will remain until Easter.

The Easter Eggspress, courtesy of Oakes Trains Spectacular, opens March 8. It will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Rides are $2.50 per person.

March 17

Caring Bunny is hopping into Apple Blossom Mall for children with special needs and their families from 9 to 10 a.m. March 17 at the J.C. Penney court. The event will be held prior to mall opening, so that accommodations can be made to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of all guests.

Guests attending are asked to enter the mall through the food court and come directly to the Easter bunny set at J.C. Penney court.

For more information, call 540-665-0202.

March 19

The Winchester Parks and Recreation Department will hold its free Eggcessible Hunt for children with special needs ages 2 to 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. March 19 at the gym in Jim Barnett Park. For more information, call 540-662-4946.

March 23

Winchester Parks and Recreation will have a free Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m. March 23 at Christianson Familyland in Jim Barnett Park. Children will be divided into three groups for the hunt — under 3, 3 to 5 and 6 to 8. Bring a basket.

An Easter egg hunt with the Easter bunny will be held March 23 at Clarke County Parks and Recreation, 225 Al Smith Circle, Berryville. For ages 1 and 2, the hunt takes place at 11 a.m., for ages 3 and 4 at 11:20 a.m., and for 5 to 7 at 11:40 a.m. The fee is $3. Bring a basket for the egg hunt to be held outdoors. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the recreation center.

March 29

Apple Valley Baptist Church will have a Family Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt March 29 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. and the hunt at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Bring your own flashlight and egg basket. Register in advance at applevalleybaptist.com under the Ministries tab. Rain or shine.

March 30

The Family Drive-In Theatre in Stephens City will have an Easter egg hunt at 6 p.m. March 30. The Easter bunny will be in attendance and children will hunt eggs by age groups and visit with the Easter bunny prior to that night’s movie show times at approximately 7:30 p.m. The hunt is included with the nightly movie admission — $8 for adults and $4 for children, ages 3 to 11. Visit thefamilydriveintheatre.com.

Historic Long Branch in Clarke County will have its annual Shenandoah Valley Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. March 30 for ages 3 to 10 with face painting, egg hunt, photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, local barbecue, flowering spring gardens, hayrides and more. Cost is $5 per car. Call 540-837-1856.

An Easter egg huntwill be held from 2 to 4 p.m. March 30 at Reynolds Store Fire and Rescue, 9181 North Frederick Pike, Cross Junction. The hunts will be divided by age. Call 540-888-3000.

Additions

To add an event, contact F.C. Lowe at flowe@winchesterstar.com or Laura McFarland at lmcfarland@winchesterstar.com.