The Easter Bunny has been busy scouting out the best hiding spots for his eggs in downtown Invermere. He’s been looking behind benches, next to stores and in all the bushes, checking for perfect places to leave his precious treats for all his little buddies to find.
On Saturday, April 20th, his colourful gifts will be hiding downtown, waiting for kids 12 and under to wake their parents, who will then give them breakfast, comb out their tangles, and tell them one hundred times to please, please put their shoes on because it’s time to go.
The Easter Bunny is giving the kids until the numbers on the clock say 11:00 to get their parents, sisters and brothers all the way downtown. And then on your mark, get set, go! It’s time to find the Easter eggs!
Usually the Easter Bunny hides out to watch kids search for the presents he left them, but this year he wants to be found too.
His friend Cortney Pitts – who, if you can believe it, is also friends with Goofy and Mickey Mouse – said the Easter Bunny wants to give out hugs and high fives and smile for your selfies.
“The Easter Bunny is going to be strolling up and down the streets handing out treats and then he’ll be taking pictures with whoever wants a picture with him,” she said.
It’s going to be so super hard for the Easter Bunny to wait patiently for his favourite day of the year, so he might be extra hoppy and need a reminder to hold a grownup’s hand when he crosses the street. He asked Ms. Pitts to pretty please ask the newspaper to tell the kids to look both ways when they cross the road – even if they spot an egg hiding on the other side.
Stores with a picture of the Easter Bunny in their windows will also have treats inside, and might even have sales on for the grownups who go in with you.
Downtown Easter Egg Shop, Hop & Hunt
The District of Invermere’s downtown Easter Egg Shop, Hop & Hunt will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20th. The egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. and will continue while supplies last.
Children and their families are also welcome to check out what the downtown businesses have in store for them. At least 38 downtown shops are jumping into the fun.
“Kids 12 and under and their families will go around to the downtown businesses in Invermere and collect treats and participate in different activities that the businesses are running,” said Ms. Pitts, the District’s events coordinator. “They’re the ones to thank too because they take treats from their own pocket… It’s nice that they participate and kind of donate the treats for the kids.”
Among the Easter offerings, the Invermere Public Library will be doing Easter crafts and handing out treats, Fire Vixen Emporium will be doing face painting, and Rainbow International will have a table downtown with colouring pages for kids.
The Artym Gallery is also having an interactive Easter exhibition with artist Alex Fong, who will be at the gallery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m..
“He’s going to bring a big canvas with sketched-out eggs already painted on it so they’re inviting families to come on in and paint an egg on his canvas that he’ll be creating,” Ms. Pitts said.
“I think it will be a fun day. The businesses are excited, and I’m excited,” she said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity to bring families down into our downtown and involve the businesses. It’s great to see everybody out and about and seeing the vibrant downtown come to life.”
Ms. Pitts encourages everyone “to stick around and shop and eat lunch at our local downtown businesses” once the eggs have been collected. She also asks drivers to be mindful around the Easter egg hunt.
Children need to accompanied by an adult when they collect their treats in the businesses.
Adult Easter Egg Hunt
The third annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt at Hopkins Harvest featuring The Hot Spot will take place on Friday, April 19th at 3 p.m. The adults-only event, which runs until 8 p.m., has been known to include prizes that would make the Easter Bunny blush.
Radium Hot Springs
The Radium library is holding an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20th. Entry is by donation with proceeds going to the library. In addition to the scavenger hunt, there will be crafts and goodie bags.
Edgewater
Sunday, April 21st 8:30 to 11 a.m.: pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt at the Edgewater Community Hall. $6 for breakfast; the hunt is free.
Canal Flats
Sunday, April 21st is when the Easter bunny hops his way to Canal Flats. Meet at the civic centre at noon for free hot dogs and cake. At 1 p.m. sharp the easter egg hunt begins.
Panorama Mountain Resort
Panorama Mountain Resort also hosts an Easter-palooza weekend. Sunday, April 21st, head to the hiill for a chocolage egg hunt for little ones 5 years and under in the Discovery Zone at 9 a.m. At 10:15 there is an easter egg hunt for children aged 6-12. Starting at 12 pm., search for a golden egg hidden somewhere in the upper village, and deliver it to guest services for some great prizes.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
Colouring contests, crafts, face painting, lawn games happening throughout th weekend. Easter egg hunt for children aged 5-12 at 1 p.m. sharp Saturday, April 20th. Egg toss and egg drop at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21st cookie deocrating 11-12 p.m. For more information, visit www.fairmonthotsprings.com.
