As we are getting closer to one of the biggest religious holidays (Easter) we need to take the time to talk to our children about the real meaning of Easter and what took place and why we celebrate Easter.

Children look forward to the Easter holiday and all the Easter Bunny chocolate eggs and baskets that the Easter Bunny delivers on that special Sunday.

I personally believe that the Easter season is the most important holiday and event for the year where we celebrate the death and resurrection of our lord and savior Jesus. With his death and resurrection it has provided a pathway for us all to enter the kingdom of heaven when we depart this earth.

Many different family traditions also go along with the Easter season where children line up to see and visit the Easter Bunny, color and decorate fancy eggs and eat the ears first off the chocolate bunnies they receive. Many different Easter eggs hunts and activities take place during the season.

I personally established four different events, with the first being the annual Easter Bonnet and Hat contest in conjunction with the annual Easter Parade.

Design a one-of-a-kind Easter Hat then drop your creation off at the Grand Central Mall on March 29 where there will be parade committee members at the food court in front of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to receive your bonnet. (Hats will be judged and winners announced on April 5 with all contest winners invited to take part in the Easter Parade on Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. – check our Facebook page, 2025 MOV Easter Parade

Categories will be ages 5-8, 9-11, 12-18 and adults ages 19 and up.

Next will be the annual Spring-Easter Celebration in front of Parkersburg High School on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. The A Cappella Choir, PHS Brass Ensemble, Red Wings, Jackson Middle School Select Choir, Hamilton Middle School Choir, crafts provided from Artbridge, Chick Fil A cow, Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse, and various clubs from PHS will provide help. To finish the evening, the annual egg hunt sponsored by Elks Lodge #198 will feature over 4,000 filled eggs. The winners of each category will receive an Easter basket. Also two free children’s bicycles will be given away.

Another event will be the annual Spring Celebration on Wednesday, April 9,at Parkersburg South High School with activities starting at 5 p.m. Many activities and entertainment will take place along with the annual egg hunt.

The 15th annual Easter Parade will be Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. in downtown Parkersburg. Bring the whole family along with their Easter baskets and come to enjoy the special season with the rest of the Mid-Ohio Valley. We special order beautiful days for all those events.

Teach your kids how to appreciate good classic music. We still have two concerts left for the season. One is Sunday, March 30, and the last one is Sunday, April 13, “Superheroes vs. Supervillians” concert. Both will be at Blennerhassett Middle School and most importantly, all students get to attend free. We would love to see you and your children there.

Also on April 13, after we celebrate the end of our successful West Virginia Symphony at Parkersburg 2024-2025 season “Roaring 20’s” style at our “Symphony Speakeasy,” we will have our annual dinner with the Maestro at the Blennerhassett Hotel. Please plan to join us for a delicious buffet dinner, grilled tri-tip sirloin with mushroom demi sauce, grilled chicken with honey glaze, roasted red skin potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, house salad, rolls, coffee, hot or ice tea and Pepsi. And top this delicious meal off Blennerhassett Hotel’s signature “Mini Praline Tulip” with ice cream.

All the above for only $50 per person.

I guarantee you will have an unforgettable night with entertainment and also to meet our Maestro, Maurice Cohn, and with beautiful decorations according to the theme. Dress in “Roaring 20s” style or come as you are.

A cash bar will be available. To make reservations, call 304-615-8117 and RSVP by April 1.