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Annual event a family favorite around holiday
By David Yarger
Tribune Editor
It’s almost that time again.
The Easter Bunny will be coming to drop the festive eggs for local children on April 21, but before that, Wheatfield residents can get in the spring holiday spirit early with the town’s annual Easter party.
From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13, the Town of Wheatfield Youth Center, 2795 Church Road, in conjunction with the Town of Wheatfield Recreation Department, will host a fun-for-all Easter party.
Children and families alike are encouraged to come out and spend a couple hours at the center and get into the festive spirit. Additionally, the event is the town’s way of preparing for a new season.
Recreation Director Mike Ranalli said, “This event parallels as a kickoff to the spring season in the Town of Wheatfield. It’s been a long winter, so we’re all ready to celebrate the beginning of longer and brighter days. There’s no better place to do this than right in our own Youth Center.”
Additionally, many local schools will be on spring recess, so Ranalli said the party is a nice little get-together for the youth of the area.
“Children can expect to interact with family and friends in a setting that’s designed for them to be creative and artistic. Many of them will be a few days into their spring recess from school, so it’s a way for them to hang out with their classmates before the long break,” he said.
Ranalli added, “Rumor has it, the Easter Bunny will make an appearance, so they will be able to take a picture alongside it.”
As the years have gone on, Ranalli said he’s seen growth in the party, especially from his staff.
“The growth I’m most proud of is within my Youth Center and Recreation staff. Debbie Reed, myself, and the rest of our staff will briefly discuss and record notes immediately following the lights going out at each of our events, and we’ll reference those notes when it comes to planning the next year’s event. That process has made each of our events evolve into what they are today,” Ranalli said.
Despite being a busy man running the event, Ranalli said the joy the party brings to the kids is “easily my favorite part of doing all of this. It’s all about the kids.”
The Easter party will include games, crafts and light refreshments for attendees at no cost. Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras for photos of the little ones with the Easter Bunny.
With warmer weather in the near future, Ranalli said the party is a mini-break from preparing for what’s ahead weather-wise.
“My message: If you’re anything like me, you were outside last weekend dusting off all the patio furniture and cleaning up your yard. Give yourself a mini-break this weekend and come out to the Youth Center from 10 to noon,” he said.
For more information regarding the Town of Wheatfield’s Easter party, call 504-1273.