Following a high-energy Easter party on Saturday, youngsters still have one more chance to catch up with the big rabbit.
LocoLanding Adventure Park on Monday is hosting its third annual Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Day, and if this year's event is anything like the last one, participants should register early.
Because it was so successful last year - an estimated 1,200 people attended - organizers decided to split it into two or three separate hunts beginning at 11 a.m.
"We were very surprised because we only had 350 people the first year," said park owner Diana Stirling, who noted it will again be BYOB (bring your own basket).
"We will have a lot of different entertainment this year, crafts, a barbecue and the Easter bunny. This is a great event and its got a really good feel about it. It's all for the community,” Stirling said.
An estimated 12,000 plastic eggs stuffed with chocolate by the Penticton Secondary leadership team will be up for grabs. Admission will cost $5 and and all proceeds will go to the OSNS Child Development Centre.
"When we pick (a charity) we always look for something where the funds stay locally and is child or family related," said Stirling. "The centre fills a need we have in our area for helping children and getting them to be the best they can possibly be by giving them the tools they need to do it. I love the OSNS for that."
The LocoLanding team will also be donating its time to maximize the contribution. Last year about $4,200 was raised. People are asked to RSVP ahead of time on the event’s Facebook page to give organizers an idea of numbers.
On Saturday, the City of Penticton’s parks and recreation department teamed up with Par-T-Perfect and Sun FM to put on The Perfect Easter Party at the Community Centre.
The event was initially planned by Becky Kay of Par-T-Perfect as a way to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary. That changed when the young parent of one of her children's classmates passed away.
"That really struck home and I thought, ‘Wow, how great is that we can help somebody out (by donating to the charity) who was close to us," said Kay, adding that some of the money from admissions will go to sending the youngster to camp through the South Okanagan Children's Charity.
The city’s recreation co-ordinator, Bob Pope, agreed: "We've actually had two incidents in the last year where parents of elementary school children have passed on. "I find that it's really important for the young children to have some positive experiences at such a troubling time. I really believe in it."
The Children's Charity each year provides scholarships for children to attend day camps. That was also a motivating factor in Jessica Nemeth's decision to get involved personally and convince her employer, the Investors Group, to donate $500 to the cause.
"The little boy (who lost his parent) is only six years old, he doesn't understand what's going on right now and it is important that he he stay with his friends and have fun because it is a pretty difficult time for the family," she said.
Par-T-Perfect staff also volunteered their time.