No need to hunt for Easter fun

Only the children of Clark County can save us when thousands of strange multicolored orbs suddenly appear around grassy spots in Clark County on Saturday morning.

The orbs, also known to some as “Easter eggs,” could well be part of an invasion plan by a giant space bunny.

But kids know they’re actually filled with chocolate and other goodies left by the Easter bunny for them to find.

Families looking to get in on the fun can check out a host of events for kids to enjoy, with egg hunts, goodie bags and petting zoos at almost every turn.

Want to know where they are? We won’t even make you hunt for them. Here’s our list of Easter events in Clark County.

Bring a basket or bag from home to collect eggs at all these events. Events are free unless noted:

• You can start the Saturday before Easter off with the La Center Lions Club Easter Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., then dive into an Easter egg hunt for children ages 1-10 directly after the feast. The community breakfast and egg hunt takes place at Holley Park Community Center, 1000 E. Fourth St., La Center. Breakfast is a $5. Call 360-263-3788.

• Starting at 9 a.m., there will be children’s games, a story by a Rose Princess and a visit with animals at the petting zoo before the Kiwanis Park Easter Egg Hunt,which starts at 10 a.m. at Kiwanis Park, 204 S.W. Second Ave., Battle Ground. The event is hosted by the Battle Ground Kiwanis and Key Clubs. Call 360-687-2044.

• At 9:30 a.m., the First Presbyterian Church will sponsor an Easter egg hunt for preschoolers through fifth-graders, along with crafts, snacks and a story. The hunt will be held rain or shine at the church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver. Call 360-694-3363 or visit http://www.1stpresvanc.org.

• At 10 a.m., the Vancouver Farmers Market will host an Easter egg hunt in Esther Short Park, 301 W. Eighth St., Vancouver, with 6,000 candy-filled eggs and a few special prizes. The egg hunts will be divided into three age groups: Children 3 and younger, 4-8, and 9-12. Call 360-737-8298 or visit http://www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com.

• From 10 to 11 a.m., the Vancouver Masonic Center Easter Egg Hunt will feature three egg hunts with hundreds of eggs for children ages 1-3, 4-6 and 7 and older. It is held at the Vancouver Masonic Center, 2500 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver. Call 360-518-0493.

• From 11 a.m. to noon, the Heron Gate Easter Egg Hunt will have more than 3,000 eggs for children ages 2-9, along with pictures with the Easter Bunny, live rabbits and children’s activities at the Heron Gate Office Building, 2 S. 56th Place, Ridgefield. Call 360-418-4307.

• At noon, the Vancouver Elks Lodge Easter Egg Hunt will have more than 2,000 plastic eggs for three different age groups: 0-3, 4-6, and 7-9. All eggs will contain a prize, and the first 100 children will receive a bag of goodies. The hunt is at the Vancouver Elks Lodge No. 823, 11605 S.E. McGillivray Blvd., Vancouver. Call 360-256-0823.

• At noon, there’s an Easter afternoon tea featuring a seasonal menu of tea sandwiches, scones, desserts and two types of tea at the Pomeroy Living History Farm, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt. Stroll through the gardens or take a tour of the farm’s historic log house. Prepaid registration required. Tickets are $15.95 or $20 for tea and tour. Call 360-686-3537 or visit http://pomeroyfarm.org.

• From 4 to 5 p.m., Autism Empowerment hosts its first “Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt,” open to children or adults with special needs, featuring an appearance by the Easter Bunny, professional photography and a separate hunt for siblings and friends. Bring a basket or bag to collect eggs at McKenzie Stadium, behind Evergreen High School, 2205 N.E. 138th Ave., Vancouver. Call 360-852-8369 or visit http://www.autismempowerment.org.

• From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the annual Oregon Zoo Rabbit Romp happens. Children ages 10 and younger can participate in candy “egg” hunts that begin every 20 minutes, along with themed games, a petting zoo and Easter-themed animal enrichment activities throughout the day. The event is free with general admission of $10.50; $9 for seniors and $7.50 for children ages 3-11. It is free for children 3 and younger. A $2 parking fee applies per vehicle. The Oregon Zoo is at 4001 S.W. Canyon Road, Portland. Call 503-226-1561 or visit http://oregonzoo.org.

• On Easter Sunday, the annual Crown Park Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:30 p.m., featuring more than 10,000 candy- and prize-filled eggs hidden in designated hunting areas for age groups 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-12. Be sure to check out Sir Launch-a-Lot, the egg-launching robot. Following the egg hunt, there will be a traditional Easter Bonnet and Contemporary Hat contest. The event takes place at Crown Park, Northeast Everett Street and 17th Avenue, Camas. Call 360-834-5307.