The sun is shining high in the sky this Sunday with temperatures in the high 40s with slight rain on Saturday. Berkshire County will be hosting a variety of Easter hunts and events this weekend for families to enjoy the coming of spring.
20th Annual Baby Animals on the Farm Day
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
The baby animals have arrived and Hancock Shaker Village is opening its barn doors this weekend for a chance to see lambs, goats, piglets, calves, and chicks. This family friendly celebration will include activities around the farm where visitors get a chance to learn from the informed farm teams.
Piglets take a nap at Hancock Shaker Village.
Start Easter Sunday off with an Easter Day Brunch by Bimi's Café from 9:30 am until 1:00 pm. The cost of the brunch will be $25 per person and children 2 and under free. The Hancock Shaker Village admission fee is not included in this cost.
Throughout the baby animals season there will be daily Livestock 101 talks, blacksmithing, woodworking, and many more activities to give individuals of
all ages a chance to learn.
The village will be offering pony rides and face painting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Those interested can check at the ticket desk for more information.
Visitors interested in skipping the crowd and getting a behind-the-scenes look at life on the farm can sign up online for one of the daily tours that are offered at 10 before the village opens.
During the tour, visitors will take a hayride around the property and get a chance to interact with some of the baby animals. Seats fill up quickly due to the high demand and there are only 20 seats available a day.
Tickets for the farm are $20 for adults, $8 for children between 13 and 17, children 12 and under are free thanks to Berkshire Bank. Massachusetts EBT card holders are eligible for $2 admission for up to 2 adults and all children 17 and under. Visitors will have to show an EBT card at time to redeem this offer.
Spring Hoppening
Berkshire Botanical Garden, Stockbridge
Berkshire Botanical Garden is hosting its first-ever Spring Hoppening to begin its 88th season on Saturday, April 16.
Interim Executive Director Thaddeus Thompson in his welcome on the garden's website, says, "we want to kick off our spring season with a fun family event. With plenty of activities for visitors of all ages, Spring Hoppening will mark the launch of what we expect to become an annual event."
This will include egg hunts, craft activities, baby chicks, mini-horse-drawn cart rides, and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny thanks to the sponsorship from Mielke Confections of Great Barrington.
The egg hunts will take place in the Procter Garden and Lucy's Garden, where upwards of 1,500 eggs filled with regionally native seeds have been hidden with the help of the garden's Herb Associates and other volunteers.
The first two egg hunts for children up to 4 years old will take place at 11. Following that at 11:30 is an egg hunt for children ages 5 through 12.
Design and creative director for Webster Landscapes Wenonah Webster will lead the early spring tree identification tour on the 24-acre garden to give families a chance to explore the budding leaves.
Families will also get a chance to shop at the gift shop that will sell plants and other garden items. Refreshments and mimosas will also be available for purchase.
Cost of admission for this event is $8 per person and free for children under the age of 4. More information can be found here.
Area Egg Hunts
CHESHIRE
Whitney's Farm Market Easter Egg Hunt
Whitney's Farm on Route 8 will be hosting its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday with two sections set up according to age. The event will start at 11 and end at 4. There will be prizes for both age groups and a grand prize.
Cheshire Police Department Annual Easter Egg Hunt
The Cheshire Police association will be hosting their annual hunt on Sunday behind the former Cheshire Elementary School at noon. There will be three age groups.
CLARKSBURG
Easter Egg Hunt
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will be sponsoring the Clarksburg Easter Egg hunt on Saturday at 10 a.m. The hunt will take place at Peter Cooke Memorial Town Field.
DALTON
Easter Egg Hunt at the CRA
The Dalton Community Recreation Association will also be hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday morning on the CRA Memorial Lawn with the first hunt beginning at 9. It will be a busy weekend for the bunny because there will be a visit from the Easter Bunny and candy donated by the Benefit Association.
LENOX
Easter Egg Scramble
The Lenox Community Center hosts its annual Easter egg scramble on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the ballroom. Doors open at 10:50 and the hunt begins at 11.
PITTSFIELD
Eggstravaganza Egg Scramble
UPDATE: Because of pending inclement weather, this event has been postponed to Saturday, April 23.
The city hosts a return of the annual Eggstravaganza Egg Scramble at the First Street Common on Saturday with the first age-level hunt beginning at 10:30 a.m. Families will get a chance to meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny, get balloon creations, and hunt for Easter eggs. Prizes will be awarded to children in each age group. More information here.
