Easter isn’t this weekend, but egg hunts, bunny hangouts are starting anyway
Easter is still a week away — and so are big egg hunts like the Easter Eggstravaganza at the Sedgwick County Zoo, which is on April 19. But several local venues, churches and near-Wichita towns are getting started early and throwing their parties this weekend. See a list of some below — along with some other suggestions about how to spend the weekend:
Early Easter events
Various Wichita locations, Saturday
Here are some of the many Easter events happening this weekend:
Easter Eggstravaganza, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Drive: The mall’s Easter Party will happen at the Children’s Play Area on the lower level. It will feature an egg hunt, games, crafts, cookie decorating and a visit from Bluey. Admission is free.
Easter Bunny Meet & Greet at NewMarket Square, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, 2441 N. Maize Road: This Easter event will happen at the fountain plaza across from Barnes & Noble and will include face time with the Easter Bunny, face painting, cookies, a balloon artist and more.
Easter Egg Hunt at Applejack Pumpkin Patch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, 10001 SW Indianola Road, Augusta: Visitors can meet the Easter Bunny, play games and participate in egg hunts. Tickets are $15 and include a hot dog meal.
Egg the Park at Central Riverside Park, noon to 2 p.m. Saturday: This free event will include age-specific egg hunts, a bounce house, games and hot dogs.
Reptile extravaganza
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Kansas Star Arena, 777 Kansas Star Drive, Mulvane
A slimy, scaly time will be had by visitors to this weekend’s Central Kansas Reptile Expo, which will include lots of snakes. lizards and turtles. People will be able to get pet reptiles from breeders at the event or shop for supplies. They also can visit with reptile experts on a variety of topics. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kansas Star Casino arena. Admission at the door is $15, $10 for children 6-15, free for children 5 and under.
Spring Renaissance Festival
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st St. North
The 20th annual Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival happens this weekend at Sedgwick County Park and as always will include jousters, bagpipers, birds of prey, blacksmiths and fire breathers. The event also will have food, including giant turkey legs. It lasts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets purchased in advance online at www.greatplainsrenfest.com/onlinetickets are $13 for adults. Those same tickets will be $16 at the gate. Online tickets also come with one free pass for a child 12 and under. Those who shop online also can get a $25 weekend pass for an adult that includes admission both days and one free kid’s pass. Extra kid’s passes are $5 in advance. For more information, visit www.greatplainsrenfest.com
Old Cowtown Tea Party
2 p.m. Saturday, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd.
Old Cowtown Museum is open for the season, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday it will put on a special kid-friendly, Victorian-style tea party. The event will include crafts, games, photo opportunities, a fashion show, tea and snacks. Tickets are $24 for adults ($22 for members) and $22 for children ($20 for members.) They’re available at www.aplos.com/aws/events/old_cowtown_tea_party All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Orpheum comedy
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
Comedian John Crist, one of the country’s top touring comedians and an online sensation, is bringing his “Jokes for Humans” comedy tour to Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre on Saturday. The show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $29.75 to $159.75 at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Another Open Streets ICT
Noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, 17th Street from Oliver to Volutsia
Open Streets ICT is putting on another big street party, and this one will be at and around Wichita State University. It will last from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday and will cover two miles of 17th Street (from Oliver to Volutsia), which will be closed down for bikers, pedestrians and activities. Visitors will find vendors, food trucks, live music and performances. Admission is free.