Easter Events (with updates as they come)

Everybody ready for Easter?  We’ve sampled many events from year to year.  The Crossings is fun, but as anyone can tell you who’s visited this park on a lovely day, it’s also a bit of a mob scene.  We usually go to Niskayuna’s parade, which consists of a bunch of parents and young kids shuffling slowly around the circular drive in front of the Town Hall.  It’s really more of a mommy chat-fest than anything else, although you can get a picture with the Easter Bunny.

By far my worst area Easter Egg Hunt ever was at Afrim’s a few years ago.  I think that it might have been their first foray into egg huntery, and it happened to be a very cold and gloomy day.  So many people came.  It was an absolute zoo.  I felt a little bit sorry for them because they were clearly overwhelmed.  We stood in an incredibly long line because they were doing several hunts in phases, and by the time the girls had a chance to look, there were basically empty plastic eggs scattered over the flat fake fields.  Many eggs weren’t even closed and a few were broken.  You picked up 3 tragic eggs and stood in another line to receive an Afrim’s pencil and a piece of candy.  I mean, it sucked.  Plus, to make it even worse, I got into this confrontation with another mom.  There were soccer balls rolling all over one area, and I was standing with J when she went over to one and started kicking it.  Well, apparently some other child had been playing with it earlier–neither of us had noticed this–and this little boy came and shoved her.  The mommy ran over and said, “Of course he pushed her!  She stole his ball!”   The mom looked like she might shove me.  So I went through a whole he’s-littler-and-he-doesn’t-know-how-to-use-words-yet and there-are-only-about-twenty-balls-rolling-around, so why don’t we let the little creep boy have this one?  talk.  All said in an overly bright and, if I am to be truthful, passive-aggressive tone of voice.  I got J to suck it up and bring the ball over to him and the mom still looked like she was ready to punch her.  I mean, we were not feeling the joy of rebirth in this springtime celebration.  Anyway, looks like Afrims is charging admission and including more activities, so I’m sure it will be better this year.  I mean, it can’t be worse.

I’ve also heard that Schenectady has a lovely Central Park Easter Egg Hunt, but I wasn’t able to find information on this one.  I’m waiting on a call back.

We've dragged out our Easter paraphernalia. In addition to endless hunts, the girls like to play "Easter Store": one sister arranges the items and the other "buys" her favorites.

Friday, March 26th

• Russell Sage College is running a Community Egg Hunt starting at 5 pm as part of Troy Night Out.

Saturday, March 27th

• At Goold Orchard, there’s breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9 am to noon.  You’re supposed to call for reservations.  $8/adult, $5/kids 4 to 11.  This is on Sunday, too.
• The Crossings has an Easter Egg Hunt with Mr. & Mrs. Bunny  from 10 am to noon.
• At 10 am, the Annual City of Cohoes Easter Egg Hunt will be held at George Street Park.  The Easter Bunny will be there for photo ops.
• From 11 am to 1 pm, B95 has their Annual Easter Egg Hunt at  Clifton Park Center.  They have a bunch of activities and break up their hunt into different age groups.  A friend who’s been to lots of area events says it’s well-run and one of her favorites.

Sunday, March 28th

• At Goold Orchard, there’s breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9 am to noon.  You’re supposed to call for reservations.  $8/adult, $5/kids 4 to 11.  This is on Saturday, too.
• From 11 am to 3 pm, there’s the Helderberg Kiwanis Pancake Dinner, Maple Festival and Craft Fair in Knox, NY.  $4 to $8, with an Easter Egg Hunt at 2 pm and pony rides, petting zoo, and other activities.
• Sloppy Kisses will have  a special doggy celebration from 11 am to 2 pm at Clifton Park Center. They’ll also be celebrating at their store this weekend in Saratoga Springs.
• Faddegon’s Nursery has an Open House from 11 am to 4 pm.  There are door prizes, refreshments, and the Easter Bunny.  A friend who tries to go every year says that it’s great and very low-key, and it’s terrific for pictures because of all of the beautiful flowers.
• At the Schenectady Greenmarket from 10 am to 2 pm, there will be eggs hidden throughout the market.
• Jonesville Fire Department (Clifton Park) is holding their annual Easter party from 12:30 to 2 pm.
• On March 28th, the Saratoga Jaycees are sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Milton Community Center in Ballston Spa.  Please bring non-perishable food or a $5 donation for the local food bank.

Friday, April 2nd

• In Niskayuna, they’ll have their Easter “Parade” on Friday, April 2nd, at 10 am at the Town Hall.
• From 10:30-11:30 am, Joyful Jumpers is having a Dino Day, where kids will stuff a dinosaur (to keep) and hunt for dinosaur eggs, then have some free play time.  It’s $15/child.  You need to pre-register for this one.

Saturday, April 3rd

• The Twin Bridges Rotary will have a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Fundraiser including a hunt, photo ops, and other activities.  It’s from 8:30 am to noon at the Elks Club on McElroy Road, and it’s $6/adult, $3/kids 6-12.
• From 9-11 am it’s the New Salem Fire Department Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  All ages can hunt, and there are refreshments.
• From 10 am to noon, there’s an Easter Egg Hunt at the East Greenbush Town Park.  Hunt is for ages 2 to 10, free refreshments, DJ, and more.
• At 10 am it’s the Annual Easter Egg Hunt for pre-K to 4th grade residents at the Town of North Greenbush Town Hall.
• Joyful Jumpers has a free community Easter Egg Hunt from 10:30-noon.  Please call Cindy to pre-register at 396-7885.
• Afrim’s in Colonie will have an Easter Egg Hunt from 12-2 pm.  $5/family includes an Easter Egg hunt, Soccer Tots activities, Lazer Tag, and bouncing.
• At 3 pm there’s an Easter Egg Hunt for kids 13 and under at the Johnsonville Fire House on River Road.  It’s rain or shine, and there will be prizes and refreshments.

Know of any other celebrations?  Please pass them along via comments or email.