Easter is this weekend, and there will be several opportunities for children to chase eggs and families to partake in some seasonal eating.

Sniffing out the eggs

Festivities are starting a few days early at the Nikiski Pool, where the annual Hop & Splash will be held Wednesday. Running from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., kids will meet the Easter Bunny, then move into the pool and swim with eggs, according to a release from the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area. Kids aged 5-12 are encouraged to participate in the free event.

In Kenai, the Kenai Community Library will be hosting a 15-minute Basket Building craft Friday starting at 4 p.m. Those baskets can be used at the City of Kenai Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. That hunt will be held at Municipal Park from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday, NPRSA will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at Nikiski Community Recreation Center starting at 1 p.m. The hunt will be outside and there will be different hunts for certain age groups, with children aged 1-12 welcome.

In Soldotna, the Peninsula Center Mall Annual Easter Festival, hosted by Yo Tacos, will be held Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be free with food available for purchase. There will be photos with the Easter Bunny, egg hunting, prizes and other activities for young children.

Easter Eats

The Hearth Eatery is taking orders for a take home “Easter Brunch.” The menu includes scones, rolls, quiche, potatoes, mac and cheese, vegetables, cake and pie. Specific items can be ordered by phone at 907-306-9134 through Friday. They’ll be ready for pick up, with instructions for storage and heating, by 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The Duck Inn will be hosting “Easter Feast” on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dinner will be a choice of prime rib at $33 or ham at $24, including mashed potatoes, candied carrots, stuffing, corn on the cob, green bean casserole, carrot cake and a roll.

The Kenai Elks Lodge will host a free Easter dinner open to the public at 2 p.m., followed by Easter egg hunts for three different age groups, up to 13 years of age, at 2:30 p.m.

For more information about any of these events, visit the Facebook pages for “North Peninsula Recreation Service Area,” “Kenai Community Library,” “City of Kenai Parks & Recreation,” “Yo Tacos,” “The Hearth Eatery,” “Duck Inn Cafe, Lounge, and Motel” and “Kenai Elks Lodge #2425.”

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.