A sure sign of Spring – Easter egg hunts and butterflies

Brunches, butterflies, bunnies, and baskets of spring flowers mark the month of April in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Sunday is Easter, so there are more than a few egg hunts nearby. Here is a round-up of some of the events happening in early April to add to your calendar.

While many families are returning from Spring Break vacations, the Easter Bunny is still visiting the Great Lakes Bay Region for those last-minute family photo ops. On Friday, April 3, the Easter Bunny will spend the day at Bronner’s in Frankenmuth. Step into the Bunny House for a free visit between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Before the Easter Bunny gets away, there will be no shortage of treats and Easter egg hunts left behind. 

Some kids will hunt through the grass for Easter Eggs, but on Saturday, April 4th, Delta College invites children up to age 15 to come into the aquatic center for a splish, splash, egg dash. Children will be divided into age groups to participate in the event, and each will go home with a goodie bag. 

On Saturday at Dow Diamond, join Lou E Loon for Lou E’s Easter Egg Fest after the Great Lakes Loons take on the Fort Wayne TinCaps. On Easter Sunday, the Loons will host an Easter Brunch beginning at noon before the game.. 

Children up to age 10 can join a free Easter egg hunt at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School at 505 E. Carpenter St. in Midland on Saturday morning. Groups will be broken up by age from 0-4, 5-7, and 8-10, so everyone gets a chance to grab some treats. The fun begins at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. 

There’s a free community Easter egg hunt on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Stan’s Field on John E. Solinski Dr. in Bay City. The Knights of Columbus and St. Stan’s Polish Festival are hosting the event with fun and treats for everyone. They suggest bringing your own basket. 

In Kawkawlin, the Beaver Township Parks and Recreation is also hosting an Egg Hunt on Saturday. There are three age groups, and each group will have the chance to search for prizes. All children will go home with treats. The hunt begins at noon. at the park on Seidlers Road in Kawkawlin.

Also in Kawkawlin on Saturday, the Township Parks & Recreation Committee is hosting its second annual Easter egg hunt. Starting at 2 p.m. at Kawkawlin Township Park, 1800 E. Parish Road, there will be not only an egg hunt but also prizes, face painting, and other fun activities. 

The First Baptist Church of Bay City is planning to have 10,000 eggs at its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday. Children up to age 13 are welcome, and there will be special drawings for prizes afterward. Sign up for the event starts at 1:30 p.m., with the hunt at 2. The church is located at 1145 W. Center in Essexville.

Golden eggs and pictures with the Easter Bunny are part of the fun at Hoyt Park in Saginaw for the 6th Annual Easter Basket Giveaway. The free drive-through event starts at 3:30, followed by photos with the Easter Bunny. Anyone who receives a golden egg should head back to claim their prize. 

After all the Easter Baskets are handed out, it’s time to head to Easter Brunch. Make a reservation for brunch at Heatherfields at Bay Valley Resort for seating between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Grand Easter Brunch features family favorites and chef-inspired dishes. 

Looking for something outside of the Easter norm? Dow Gardens still has tickets available for its Butterflies in Bloom event. See thousands of brilliantly-colored butterflies flying around the Dow Garden’s Conservatory. Through April 4, hours have been extended to 6:30 p.m. Advanced ticketing is required. 

The Bay City Country Club at 7255 S. 3 Mile Road is hosting several seating times on Sunday, including 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m., with a special brunch. The buffet-style brunch is open to the public, but reservations are requested. 

Apple Mountain in Freeland will have seating and a full menu for its Easter Brunch, at 4519 N. River Road in Freeland. Breakfast and lunch will be served at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and reservations are required. 

In Frankenmuth, the Bavarian Inn Lodge will host its annual Bountiful Easter Buffet on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required and include both breakfast foods and family favorites, including ham, potatoes and gravy, and a loaded dessert table.  

Drop-in Art Days are happening at the Saginaw Art Museum. Free art workshops are being offered at the museum from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn the art of Origami with Mark DeWolf-Ott on Friday and portrait drawing on Saturday.  Friday’s event requires entry to the museum, and admission fees apply. 

While there are a lot of Easter and Spring Break events happening, a staple in downtown Bay City, no matter what time of year, offers shows for everyone. The Delta College Planetarium has two shows on Saturday. The animated 3-2-1 Liftoff! Planetarium Show begins at 2 p.m., and A New Blue Planetarium Show begins at 3:30 p.m. Both shows offer unique insight into the solar system.