An array of spring and Easter events are on tap for the holiday weekend in Berlin, Ocean Pines and Ocean City.
A participant in a previous Berlin bonnet parade proudly displays her style and creativity.
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By Charlene Sharpe, Associate Editor
There is no shortage of traditional and unique ways to celebrate Easter this week in Berlin, Ocean Pines and Ocean City.
The following is a recap of some events on tap:
Berlin Spring Celebration
Breakfast with the Easter bunny, a bonnet parade and an egg hunt highlight this Saturday’s Berlin Spring Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Berlin.
“We are thrilled to announce the return of one of our favorite family events, and all of the fun that comes with it,” Ryan Nellans, the executive director of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, said. “We are welcoming back lots of familiar faces, including the Shake it Up Jam! and children’s book author Katie Ruskie. Our egg hunt on the Taylor House Museum lawn and our Midway on Main Street are back and better than ever with even more prizes, all made possible by our sponsors, Bradley Atlantic Insurance Management, Taylor Bank, and Jolly Roger Amusements.”
The day kicks off early, with the Berlin Fire Company hosting “Bunny Brunch” from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. The event, which is $5 for kids under 10 and $10 for adults, will be held in the upstairs event hall at the station on Main Street. All-day parking will also be available at the firehouse, where cash donations will be accepted.
The Spring Celebration itself will begin with some fanfare, as a bonnet parade will run from the firehouse to the festival grounds on Main Street at 10 a.m. There, the best bonnets will win prizes and then children will be invited to visit the games that will make up “Midway on Main Street.” An egg hunt is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on the lawn of the Taylor House Museum.
The Spring Celebration will also include live music from Shake it Up Jam! and appearances by Lollipop the Clown.
In the days leading up to the Spring Celebration, Nellans noted that the town’s paper egg hunt was still underway.
“If you don’t already know, our paper egg hunt is still going until we draw two winners, who will each receive a $100 gift card to the best Ice cream in the United States – Island Creamery,” he said. “Forms for the hunt are available at the Berlin Visitors Center at 14 S Main St.”
For more information, visit the Berlin Spring Celebration event page on Facebook. Nellans said volunteers are still needed for the event and those interested should call 410-641-4775 or email berlinmdchamber@gmail.com.
Ocean Pines Activities
On Saturday, March 30, the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks group will welcome residents to their Spring Celebration and Easter Egg Hunt at White Horse Park. The holiday-themed function will offer carnival games, food, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, and a special Easter Bunny visit.
The event is free for guests and will include three Easter Egg hunts, differentiated by age. The 1, 2, and 3-year-olds will begin their search at 11:30 a.m., the 4 to 6-year-olds will start at noon, and the 7 to 10-year-olds will round out the hunts at 12:30 p.m.
The spring festivities continue in Ocean Pines as the annual Easter Magic celebration returns to the Farmers and Artisans Market on Saturday, March 30. Early spring produce, flowers, and baked goods will be available for purchase.
New and returning merchants are expected to bring an abundance of fresh and homemade seasonal goodies to the event.
Ocean Pines Association Director of Marketing and Public Relations Josh Davis said in a news release that DelVecchio’s Bakery will offer Easter eclairs, breads, and scones. The booth will sell cookies, pies, cupcakes, and hot cross buns.
Belinda White of Pies Etcetera will have handmade chocolate-dipped peanut butter eggs, and Maureen Meushaw, owner of Pocket Farm, will sell fresh eggs from her pasture-raised laying hens.
Snyder’s Produce and Beautiful Things will return to the farmer’s market on the March 30 Easter Magic celebration, where owner Debbie Snyder will offer spring bedding plants, Easter flowers, and patio planters.
New sellers plan to participate in this year’s Easter celebration. Fika Coffee will provide shoppers with a variety of coffee beans, Davis said. Salt Marsh Dry Goods and owner Michelle Kemp will also make their first Easter Magic appearance.
“Kemp creates reusable products for the kitchen and home,” market manager David Bean said in the release. “For those looking to replace paper options for cooking and cleaning, Salt Marsh Dry Goods has sustainable options. Their home-sewn sustainable items include reusable replacements for paper towels, napkins, baby wipes, makeup removers, coasters, trivets, and crochet dish cleaners.”
The Ocean Pines Farmers and Artisans Market occurs each Saturday in White Horse Park. Shoppers can browse the booths and vendors from 8 a.m. to noon. More information regarding Ocean Pines’ springtime and Easter activities can be found on the official Ocean Pines Association website.
Participants in a past Ocean City egg hunt event are pictured.
File photo
Ocean City
Ocean Promotions is bringing back the annual Easter Art & Craft Show and Kids Fun Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30, , at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
Admission to the event includes the arts and crafts fair as well as many games and contests as well as face painting and visits with Beanny the Easter Bunny. Pay-as-you-go options will include the bounce houses and obstacle courses on site as well as a mechanical bull.
The entertainment schedule each day includes multiple Easter egg hunts for different ages, a limbo, hula hoop and musical chairs contest and Cascading Carlos teaching juggling.
The Easter Art & Craft Fair will feature dozens of vendors offering a variety of gift, food and art options.