No need to tell the Easter Bunny and Peter Cottontail that spring has arrived in the Triangle. Starting on Saturday, you’ll find them hopping everywhere from Raleigh to Durham and Chapel Hill hosting egg-traordinary celebrations for kids! Many of the hunts are free! I've been tracking the upcoming hunts and suggest you arrive early, since most hunts begin and end in a flash, and call ahead, just in case the weather changes. (Storms are expected Saturday.) Don’t forget your camera and baskets! Happy hunting!

Here’s what’s coming up through April 4:

March 28
* Families can celebrate the season at the Holly Springs Spring Fling and Egg Hunt in Womble Park. Festivities, including live entertainment, games and inflatables, begin at 10 a.m., and the hunt for kids 8 and younger begins at noon on the baseball fields. Call 919-557-9603 for more information.

* Children 12 and younger can search for more than 3,000 eggs, including several golden ones that bring a special prize, at three hunts in Wake Forest’s Holding Park beginning at 1:30 p.m. Visit www.wakeforestnc.gov for a complete schedule of times.


April 4
* Families can enjoy a continental breakfast outdoors with the Easter Bunny in Cary’s Bond Park at 8:30 a.m., prior to the town’s egg hunts at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for children 10 and younger. Tickets are required for the breakfast. Rain date is April 5. Call 919-460-4965 or visit www.townofcary.org for more information.

* A Children’s Egg Hunt Celebration, located at the future New Hope Park site (formerly Blackwood Farm) in Hillsborough, features an appearance by Peter Cottontail and live entertainment at 9:30 a.m. The hunt begins at 10:30 a.m. for kids 10 and younger. Adaptation services for children with special needs are offered. 919-968-2787.

* Two Durham city parks, Campus Hills and West Point on the Eno, host egg hunts at 10:30 a.m. for children under 12. Visit www.durhamnc.gov for more information. Another community park, Durham Central, offers a hunt for ages 3 to 12 at 10:30 a.m. For details, call 919-794-8194 or visit www.durhamcentralpark.org.

* An Easter Eggstravaganza at Durham’s Epworth United Methodist Church features hunts for kids in various age groups, puppet shows and more from 10-11:30 a.m. Call 919-489-6557 for information.

* Meet Peter Cottontail and decorate and fly a kite at Lake Benson Park in Garner. Festivities begin at 10 a.m., with an egg hunt at noon for kids 8 and younger. For details, visit www.garnerparks.org.

* The Easter Bunny drops thousands of eggs on the lawn of Burwell School in historic Hillsborough for two hunts that begin at 2 p.m. for ages 6 and younger and ages 7 to 12. Games, door prizes and more follow the hunt. Call 919-732-7451 or visit www.burwellschool.org for more information.

* Kids 8 and younger can meet the Easter Bunny at Harper Park in Knightdale and search for eggs at 1 p.m. For details, call 919-217-2235 or visit www.ci.knightdale.nc.us/parksandrecreation.html.

* Raleigh Parks and Recreation hosts egg hunts at 11 a.m. for kids 10 and younger at a variety of community centers throughout the city. Visit www.raleigh-nc.org for a complete list of locations.

* Children ages 3 to10 can scour three separate fields for Easter eggs at Selma Middle School in Selma at 10 a.m. For details, call 919-975-1411.
a Wendell Park is the site of the town’s annual egg hunt that begins at 11 a.m. Call 919-366-2266 for information.

* Peter Cottontail comes to Zebulon at 10 a.m., when children 8 and younger can visit with him and participate in the town’s hunt at the community park. Call 919-269-7455 for details.

You’ll find more Festive Egg Hunts and Bunny Sightings (from April 5 through April 19) at Carolinaparent.com. Look for seasonal fun, like this weekend's Kite Festival in Cary, in our Spring Guide.