Easter on Whidbey is really egg-citing!

— Created April 5, 2023 by Kathy Reed

By Kathy Reed

Peter Cottontail’s calendar is pretty full this weekend, but he has still made room for all kinds of Whidbey Island events sure to please expert egg hunters and bunny lovers.

Saturday is the big day for Easter egg hunts up and down the island. We will start from the north end and work our way down, in no particular order.

Breakfast and Spring Fest on Base

Eligible military personnel and their guests can get the day rolling by having breakfast with the Easter bunny Saturday at the Navy Exchange on the NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane Base. There are three seatings available, starting at 8 a.m. For $3 per child, children can enjoy French toast sticks with syrup, juice and apple slices. There will also be opportunities for photos with the Easter bunny. Additional breakfast items will be available to purchase. Sign up at customer service or by calling 360-257-0601.

Breakfast with the Easter bunny will be followed by a Spring Fest on the Seaplane Base from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature egg hunts divided by age groups, rides, games and more. Photos will be available with the Easter bunny at the Exchange.  Open to all eligible military personnel.

First Reformed Church

First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor is hosting an Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Saturday.  The event features games, live music and lots of eggs to find. There will be two fields for egg hunting, one for smaller children, one for older kids. Light refreshments will also be available. In the event of rain, the fun will move indoors. The church is located at 250 NW 3^rd Ave.

Oak Harbor Main Street

The Oak Harbor Main Street Association will hold its fifth annual Easter egg hunt at Smith Park in downtown Oak Harbor, starting with a sensory friendly egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. for children ages 1-10. At 12:30, there will be egg hunts for three different age groups – ages 1-3, 4-6 and 7-10.

Organizers have been busy helping the Easter bunny get ready.

“We have stuffed over 3,000 eggs with candy, small toys, or gold coins to be redeemed for prizes,” said Margaret Livermore, executive director of OHMSA. “I think we had over 300 kids last year and there will probably be more this year.”

Livermore said there will be other activities at the park as well.

“The Garry Oak Society will have displays and information about the Garry Oak Tree and Whidbey Island Macaroni Kid will have books for kids and other information,” she said.

Learn more about this event at oakharbormainstreet.org.

Ace Hardware

Kids aged 12 and under are invited to Ace Hardware in Oak Harbor at 10 a.m. Saturday for an Easter egg hunt. Young hunters will search the store for plastic eggs filled with candy and raffle prizes. The store is located at 150 SE Pioneer Way.

HomePlace Oak Harbor

HomePlace Oak Harbor Memory Care, located at 171 SW 6^th Ave., will hold its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The egg hunt is free. There will be a 50/50 raffle and prizes as well. Tickets are six for $5 and there will also be resident-made candles for sale, plus English Lavender soaps and English breakfast tea. All proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Whidbey Farm and Market

Whidbey Farm and Market will hold its first Easter events Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and those 13 and older, and $12 for children 12 and under. Adult admission includes access to hayrides, fire pits, petting zoo and store entry. Admission for children includes access to the Easter egg hunt, bouncy house, hayrides, fire pits, petting zoo and store admission. Face painting will also be available.

Kids’ egg hunts will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and there will be a separate small lot for children ages 4 and under with parent supervision. Professional family photo sessions will be available for purchase, and there will be a food truck, and coffee and ice cream offered for purchase as well.

Tickets are available online at whidbeyfarmandmarket.com/easter-egg-hunt. The regular market will open for business May 6.

VFW Egg Hunt

Children ages 1 to 11 are invited to bring their own Easter basket and head to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post (VFW) on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor at noon Saturday. This free event will take place outside at the V-Dome behind the main VFW building. There will be prizes, appearances by the Easter bunny and Pooh Bear, plus fun for all ages.

Meerkerk Gardens

Hopping a little further south on the island is the second annual Easter egg hunt Saturday at Meerkerk Gardens.

There will be two egg hunts for children 10 and under, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Children will be divided into age groups and there will be a separate hunt for kids up to age 5. Special admission to the Gardens is $10 per person, but those aged 16 and under get in free.

“We are hiding a total of more than 3,000 eggs this year, including two dozen golden eggs that have tickets inside redeemable for prizes,” said Ron Newberry, operations manager. “I hope what also sets us apart is offering this fun family activity in a magical woodland setting during the most beautiful time of the year at Meerkerk Gardens.

“We are into our widely anticipated bloom season with rhododendrons, azaleas, trees, daffodils and other plants showing their beautiful color,” he continued. “April and May are considered peak bloom. On a warm day you can hear the hum of bumblebees everywhere.”

Those interested in attending can pay in person or pay for tickets in advance at meerkerkgardens.org.

Holmes Harbor Egg Hunt

Children age 11 and under are invited to attend the annual Holmes Harbor Easter egg hunt, which starts promptly at noon Saturday. Organizers advise arriving early for parking and to enjoy the children’s petting zoo with Whidbey 4-H club members.

There is no charge to participate and over 10,000 eggs will be hidden. The Easter egg hunt, prizes, hot dogs, chips and drinks are all free for the kids. Adults are welcome to eat by donation, but not required. All proceeds benefit the Holmes Harbor Scholarship Fund.

Learn more at hhrodandgun.com.  The Rod and Gun Club is located at 3334 E Brooks Hill Road in Langley.

Clinton Easter Egg Hunt

Organizers for the annual Clinton Easter egg hunt are egg-cited about this year’s egg hunt, to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Dan Porter Park in Clinton. They even suggest arriving early to enjoy all the festive fun.

This event is free for all children 12 and under and will include a selfie station at which to take photos with the Easter bunny, a live DJ, and the chance to meet South Whidbey firefighters and explore a fire truck. Friends of the Clinton Library will also provide a free book to every child.

There will also be eggs – lots of them – and they’ll all be stuffed with candy or prizes.

“We are aiming for 4,000 eggs, that’s our goal,” said Emily Switzer, executive director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, which organizes this event. Switzer said they anticipate at least 300 kids will attend.

Part of the appeal of this Clinton tradition, according to Switzer, is the way the community pulls together to make it happen.

“The community cleans up the park a week or two before the event and this year we had egg-filling parties,” she said. “We went to a couple of breweries and we had people who had never gone to these businesses before, so it was a great way of generating new business and getting people together. “Also, I think it’s popular because it’s become a tradition for a lot of South Whidbey families,” she continued. “People just love to do this kind of stuff and Whidbey has so much to offer.”
Parking for this event is available at the Park and Ride off Deer Lake Road. Follow signs to the park through the wooded, ADA accessible trail. Learn more at discoverclintonwa.com.