Plenty to egg you on Saturday: The zoo, the Ice Center and churches are among the venues for Easter events open to the public.

Mar. 21, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Easter weekend brings with it a half-dozen egg hunts and other family-friendly events open to the public. The weather won't be warm -- the high is predicted to be in the mid-50s on Saturday -- but that may seem balmy compared to the day before Easter last year, when the high was 40 and early spring flowers were encased in ice.

Here are some of the Easter events open to the public on Saturday:

Easter Eggstravaganza

The annual celebration at the Sedgwick County Zoo is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's not exactly an egg hunt, but kids are encouraged to bring Easter baskets to collect goodies that will be stashed throughout the zoo. The Easter bunny will be on hand, and kids can participate in games and other activities.

An activity for children with special needs will begin at 1 p.m. Call 316-266-8276 to register for this event.

For nonmembers, regular zoo admission applies. It's $10 for adults and $6 for kids 4-11. Kids 3 and under get in free. The event is free for zoo members. For more information, call 316-660-9453.

Easter at Ice Center

The Wichita Ice Center is playing host to its second Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday morning. The free event will take place on the lawn surrounding the Ice Center at 505 Maple. Activities will include a jelly bean guessing contest, candy and prize giveaways and a visit by the Easter Bunny.

The hunt is open to kids ages 1 to 12. Here's the schedule:

10:40-11:10 a.m., ages 1-4

11:10-11:40 a.m., ages 5-8

11:40-noon, ages 9-12

After the hunt, visitors can skate indoors from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. Regular fees will be charged. For more information, call 316-337-9199.

GracePoint Easter

GracePoint Church will have a free Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. Saturday on the practice football field at Andover Central Middle School. About 20,000 plastic Easter eggs will be dropped from a helicopter at 2 p.m. Kids age 12 and under may participate in the egg hunt. A play zone also will be set up. For more information, call 316-773-1303.

Ark Church carnival

The Easter event at the Ark Church, 5501 N. Maize Road, will include an egg hunt, refreshments and lunch for sale and more than 20 carnival-style games. Cost is $1 for children who want to participate in the egg hunt; registration is required for the hunt and may be done by calling 316-721-6688 by 3 p.m. today or in person at 11 a.m. Saturday. Kids who just want to attend the carnival may purchase a $5 punch card. All the fun starts at 11 a.m.

Haysville egg hunt

A jelly bean counting contest, drawings for prizes and an egg hunt will be some of the activities at the Haysville Easter celebration, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in Riggs Park. It's free and open to the public, but registration is required for the egg hunt. For more information, call 316-529-5900.

Derby Easter celebration

Meet the Easter Bunny, hunt for candy and get a temporary tattoo at the Easter Egg Hunt in Derby. The fun starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at High Park. Children will be divided by age for the hunt and should bring their own baskets. In the event of bad weather, the events will be held indoors at the Derby Recreation Center or Oaklawn Activity Center. No preregistration required. For more information, call 316-788-3781.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0218-23937633