CASS COUNTY — It’s that time of year again, where children of all ages scurry across lawns, looking under every rock and in every nook and cranny for colorful, candy-filled Easter eggs.

Two parks in Cass County will have Easter egg hunts on Saturday morning. City Hall Park in Dowagiac will host its 18th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza beginning at 10:30 a.m and T.K. Lawless Park will host its annual Spring Eggstravaganza beginning at 11 a.m.

“Traditionally, the Easter Eggstravaganza marks the official arrival of springtime to our community,” said Norma Greenman, who is chairing the event at City Hall Park.

Both parks will have their egg hunts separated by age group. In Dowagiac, children ages 2 to 5 will be on the lawn in front of City Hall while children 6 to 10 hunt within City Hall Park. At Lawless Park, children ages 2 to 4 will hunt starting at 11:30 a.m. and children ages 5 to 10 will hunt starting at 12:30.

Scott Wyman, the Cass County director of parks, said that there will be 4,000 eggs in total for children to find at Lawless Park.

“A lot of other places have Easter events and spring events but that’s OK,” Wyman said. “We’re all part of the fraternity of events and you may go out to someplace earlier in the day and then come out to Lawless later, or come to Lawless first and then spend the rest of your day somewhere else.”

In addition to Easter egg hunts, both organizations will have a series of other activities.

City Hall Park will feature the annual Be a Bunny costume contest starting at 11:45 a.m., but contestants should gather at the front entrance to City Hall at 11:30. There will be prizes for the best overall costume, the most colorful costume and the most original costume. Attending the event will be other costumed characters and Miss Dowagiac, Jadelyn Zimmerman, and her Court of Honor. Also part of the celebration will be cookie decorating, games and Judd Lumber’s bounce house.

At Lawless Park, there will be a petting zoo, a face painting station, crafts, wagon rides, a large inflatable slide and a visit from the Easter Bunny. All refreshments will be provided by the Cass County Friends of the Parks. Also attending the event will be Little Mr. and Miss Cassopolis and Mr. and Miss Junior Teen Cassopolis.

Parents are allowed to take photos at both events.

At the time of press, the weather on Saturday is expected to be between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit with a chance of rain. Both Easter events are taking precautions to help keep people warm and dry. For instance, at Lawless park, there will be a bonfire.

“It will be a great time,” Wyman said. “Rain or shine, we’re going to have it. We’re hoping for decent weather. I know it’s kind of up in the air at this time of year whether or not it’s going to be nice, but we’re hopeful.”

The hunt at City Hall Park is free and is hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, which in the past took place at City Park, but has been relocated. It will cost $2 per person to enter Lawless Park.