The hamlet will soon be seeing both an Easter Egg hunt put on by various members of the community, and the annual Easter Carnival coordinated by the Chautauqua Safety Village.

Both events will be occurring on March 28, allowing for a packed day of Easter celebrations. The first event to take place will be the Easter Egg hunt, which is coordinated by the Ashville United Methodist Church. Church Outreach Director Lori Ruffel said the idea for the hunt came about five years ago, after the church brought in some additional funding. Ruffel stated that the church receives so many donations, many of which they are not equipped to disperse to use in any way. Due to this, Ruffel said the church decided to have a free table sale, where any of these donated items were put out for community members to take as needed. During the first free sale from the church many members of the community insisted on providing a donation in generosity, which led to the church officially beginning to collect donations the following years. Ruffel hoped to be able to use this money in a way that would give back to the community members that had so graciously chosen to donate, and thus the egg hunt was born.

“Because they were leaving this money we just went ahead and decided to try to get it back to them. So I came up with the idea of doing an Easter Egg hunt for the kids, this way I felt like I was giving back to them,” said Ruffell. “Whatever I receive out of what we do for fundraising and stuff, it all goes directly into this Easter Egg hunt.”

Ruffell noted that the event will also begin with a fun game that is played each year before the hunt commences. The game, known as get cracky, sees the children opening up an easter egg to reveal a number inside. This number will then be used in a drawing, which gives the children a chance to win a host of fun toys that have been donated by organizations throughout the community.

Two young pirates battle in a Bluey themed funhouse. Submitted photo

The same day, the Chautauqua Safety Village will also be hosting festivities to celebrate the holiday, with the annual Easter Carnival celebration. Associate Director Lisa McLaughlin stated that the Easter carnival has been around nearly as long as the safety village itself, though in recent years organizers have changed the themes. McLaughlin stated that much of this rebranding of the theme is to better align with the interest of kids. As a result this year, similarly to the past few years, will be themed around the show Bluey. This means that Bluey, and Bingo, will be at the safety village to meet and take pictures with anyone who wishes. Additionally, the friends from the Paw Patrol will also be in attendance to keep the village safe throughout the event.

“When people come in they can choose. We’ll have an interactive map that they can use to choose what they want to start with,” said McLaughlin. “Some of the things will have Bluey inspired houses. Those things would be for example Keepy Uppy, Animal Pet Hospital, Dance Mode, Grannie’s Photo Booth, lemonade stand, pizzaria, and a rodeo bounce with Bluey and Bingo.”

Mclaughlin noted numerous other fun activities that will be available including an obstacle course bounce house, crafts stations, bingo, food, and of course the chance to meet with the Easter Bunny. With a host of other carnival games and stations set up at the event children throughout the Ashville area are sure to have a day packed with celebratory opportunities.

A balloon and party themed room from the Easter Carnival. Submitted photo

A crowd of people gather waiting to enter the event. Submitted photo