It's time to grab some baskets and hop over to several Mid-Missouri Easter events, including the 34th annual Easter Egg Hunt at Memorial Park.
Co-sponsored by the Jefferson City Jaycees and Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, the Easter egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. April 3 at Memorial Park, 111 Memorial Park Drive.
"It's one of those long-standing traditional events that we've been putting on for the community, and it's a great way to kick off the Easter weekend," said Phil Stiles, special events program manager for the Parks Department.
Children 9 years old and younger can participate in the egg hunt. Children will be divided into groups based on their ages, and the park will be divided into four sections. Parents will not be allowed to enter the designated hunting areas except for the section for children 3 years old and younger.
Chelsea Hite, Easter egg hunt chairwoman with the Jefferson City Jaycees, said she is excited to host the annual Easter egg hunt since last year's event was canceled.
"We love being able to host events like the Easter egg hunt to where we can give back to the community and help out a local organization," she said.
It cost $1 per child to participate in the Easter egg hunt. Photos with the Easter Bunny will also be available at an additional charge.
The proceeds will go toward the youth sponsorship program through the Parks and Recreation Foundation, Stiles said. The program helps individuals who can't afford registration fees for various programs like day camps, baseball, and swimming and skating lessons.
Masks will not be mandatory, Hite said. Since the event will be outside, she added, attendees can social distance themselves.
Other upcoming Easter events in the area include:
Holts Summit annual Easter egg hunt: 10 a.m. Saturday at Greenway Park, 282 S. Greenway Drive in Holts Summit. The event is free and open to children 10 years old and younger. The Easter Bunny will also be available for free pictures.
Infants to children 2 years old will begin their egg hunt at 10 a.m. Children 3-4 years old will begin at 10:15 a.m. Children 5-6 years old will begin at 10:30 a.m. Children 7-8 years old will begin at 10:45 a.m. Children 9-10 years old will begin at 11 a.m.
Masks are not mandatory but are encouraged.
Taos Parks & Rec Easter egg hunt: 11 a.m. Saturday at Taos Countryside Park. The event is free and open to children 10 years old and younger. Food and drinks will be provided. If there is inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to 11 a.m. April 3.
Building Community Bridges community day Easter basket giveaway and egg hunt: 11:45 a.m. March 27 at Building Community Bridges, 213 E. Ashley St. in Jefferson City. The event is free and open to children 10 years old and younger. Children 6 years old and younger will begin hunting for eggs at 11:45 a.m. Children 7-10 years old will begin at 12:15 p.m.
BCB will give out free Easter baskets to the first 200 children. The organization will provide free food and raffles.
Capital City Christian Church Easter at the Stadium: 10 a.m. April 4 at Helias Catholic High School football stadium, 1305 Swifts Hwy. in Jefferson City. The event is free and gates will open at 9 a.m. Children's activities will begin at 9:30 a.m., with worship services beginning at 10 a.m.
If there is inclement weather, the Easter services will be held inside Capital City Christian Church, 1608 Swifts Hwy.