With Easter right around the corner, egg hunts are popping up across Northeast Georgia counties. From county celebrations to company festivities, an Easter gathering is available for almost everyone in the area.
In Hall County
In Hall County, residents can take their pick of one of many Easter events.
Gainesville Parks and Recreation will host its free Easter Egg Hunt on April 9 at the Midtown Greenway. The festivities begin at 2 p.m. with the egg hunt for ages newborn to 3 and 8 to 10. The next egg hunt is at 2:45 p.m. for ages 4 to 5 and 6 to 7.
Free activities include bounce houses, face painting and temporary tattoos, with concessions available for purchase. Photos with the Easter Bunny are $5.
For more information, call 770-535-6865 or visit www.gainesville.org/special-events.
The Longstreet Society will hold its fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8, with activities beginning at 9:30 a.m.
In addition to the hunt for candy-filled eggs, events include face painting, photos with the Easter bunny, a craft table and the chance to make a Longstreet beard.
The free event will be at the Piedmont Hotel, 827 Maple St., in Gainesville.
For more information, visit www.longstreetsociety.org/newsfeed.html
Also on April 8, the J.A. Walters Family YMCA will have its Easter Celebration from 10 a.m. to noon at 2455 Howard Road in Gainesville.
The event will include an egg hunt, games and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
For more information, call 770-297-9622, visit www.gamountainsymca.org or email kateshia.mcafee@gamountainsymca.org.
One event is missing from this list though. Because of budget cuts, Hall County’s annual Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt will not take place this year.
In Dawson County
Bethel United Methodist Church in Dawsonville will host its own hunt for eggs at night at Lumpkin Campground.
The Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 6:30 p.m. April 8 at 100 Lumpkin Campground Road.
In addition to the eggs, the free event includes a cookout, bounce house and pictures with the Easter bunny.
For more information, call 706-216-6220.
About a week later, The KARE for Kids 31st annual Community Egg Hunt will be April 15 in Dawsonville.
Activities begin at 11:30 a.m. in Veterans Memorial Park Football Field at 186 Recreation Road. The egg hunt will begin at 2:30 p.m. but participants are encouraged to arrive no later than 2 p.m.
The event is sponsored by Church at War Hill, Dawson County FFA, Dawson County Parks & Recreation and Way Point Ministries.
General admission is free, but a cost is associated with some activities and concessions. Activities include face painting, train rides, a bike raffle, Easter Bunny photos, concessions and a hot dog eating contest.
For more information, visit www.dawsoncounty.org
In Lumpkin County
On Easter Sunday, Forrest Hills Resort will have its Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt at 135 Forrest Hills Road in Dahlonega.
The egg hunt begins at 2:30 p.m. and is free for children who are walking to 10 years old.
Carriage rides will start at 1 p.m. and cost $5. Plus, the Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures with a professional photographer.
Seating times for brunch include 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Brunch costs are $24.95 for ages 11 and older, $12.95 for ages 3-10 and free for children 2 years old and younger. Brunch reservations are required.
For more information, call 706-864-6456 or visit forresthillsresort.com.
In White County
The 29th annual Cabbage Patch Kids Magical Easter Eggstravaganza will be April 8 at BabyLand General Hospital at 300 NOK Drive in Cleveland.
A pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny will launch the all-day activities. The feast begins at 8 a.m. April 8 for $12. Reservations are required.
The free Easter egg hunt will begin at 3 p.m. with 30,000 prizes, candy and toy eggs for ages 10 and younger.
Vendor prices vary for arts and crafts. Pictures with the Easter Bunny are $12 with a digital email costing $5.
A car show to entertain adults will begin at 1 p.m. Registration is required.
For a full list of the day’s events, visit www.babylandgeneral.com/tag/egg-hunt/
Just up the road and a few days later, the North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm will host its Easter Festival.
From April 13-16, zoo visitors may participate in “Rabbitpalooza” and “Eggstravaganza.”
For the price of zoo admission plus the $5 Easter Egg Hunt fee, individuals can touch, hold and learn about more than 10 different types of rabbits during “Rabbitpalooza.” And during “Eggstravaganza,” children can “enjoy egg hunting in a whole new fashion,” according to the North Georgia Zoo website.
Other activities include petting, grooming and riding a donkey; hearing the Easter story; holding chicks and ducks with assistance from zoo staff; bottle feeding baby goats and sheep for $2; and encountering a camel during a hay wagon and wildlife walk.
The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 13, and Friday, April 14, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, and Sunday, April 16.
For more information, visit www.northgeorgiazoo.com/spring--easter-festivals.html
In Habersham County
On April 8, the Mauldin House Gardens will host its free Easter Bunny photos from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 458 Jefferson St. in Clarkesville. No appointments are required.
For more information, call 706-754-2220 or visit www.clarkesvillega.com.