Rejoice in Springtime Fun in Rhode Island

Ah, springtime is here. All over the state of Rhode Island flowers are blooming, trees are growing greener, and people are coming alive again. Would you like some interesting and fun things to do at an affordable price? Check out this list of events throughout Rhode Island this spring for a couple of ideas!

Easter is a big part of spring around the globe. Here are some of the local Easter egg hunts taking place. The first of which is on March 30^th in Wilcox Park on Broad Street in Westerly. Come and see the Easter bunny and hunt for over 12000 eggs and assorted candy. This event is only for ages 1-8 and you must bring your own basket. For more information call (401) 596-7761.

On March 31^st, Burriville will host their own Easter egg hunt in the Branch River Park on the Broncos Highway. Again there will be assorted candy and eggs and an Easter bunny for kids ages 1-8. There is a rain date set for April 1^st and you can call (401) 568-9470 for more information.

Cranston has an egg hunt on April 1^st with a $5 admission price, the profits of which go to restoring the Sprague Mansion. The egg hunt begins at one o'clock on Cranston Street at Sprague Mansion. Light refreshments will be served and the Easter bunny will also be visiting this fun day. For more information please go to www.cranstonhistoricalsociety.org.

On April 7^th, two RI cities celebrate Easter, Newport and Portsmouth. Newport has an egg hunt and a brunch buffet to follow. This event takes place on Bellevue Avenue at Rosecliff and begins at 10am. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (401) 847-1000. All the while Portsmouth will hold its 8^th annual Easter egg hunt and fun day at the Brown house on Linden Lane. The event begins at 11:30am with pony rides. There are two egg hunts here. The main hunt begins at one o'clock and for kids up to two years old the second hunt begins at 1:15pm. Please bring your own basket for collecting eggs and candy. Following the egg hunts, Cindy Killavey will hold a storytelling beginning at 1:30pm. This is a free event but donations are encouraged. For more information please visit www.onaquidneck.com/brownhouse.

There are two comedy festivals in Rhode Island and held in the spring. The first of which is on March 30^th at the West Valley Inn on Blossom Street in West Warwick. The RI Comedy festival includes performances by Charlie Hall and his Ocean State Follies, Dave Kane's "Misgivings," plus appearances from other special guests both local and national. Tickets for this event are $42 a person and include both shows, a buffet, all applicable taxes and tips. Arrival for the festival begins at six o'clock with a cocktail hour and the show begins at 8:15. Reservations can be made by calling (401) 353-3330. The Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Center, located on Main Street in Monument Square in Woonsocket, holds a second night of the RI Comedy festival on March 31^st. The show begins at 8 o'clock. Tickets can be purchased through the Stadium Theatre or by calling (401) 762-4545.

Interested in Art and new galleries? Check out one of two gallery nights either in Newport or Providence, two of RI's most popular and cultured cities. Newport hosts Gallery Night on April 12^th. The night includes opening receptions and introductions of new artists and new exhibits. These exhibits range from hand-blown glass, photography, international handcrafts and fine arts. This is a free event with free parking located at the Newport Visitors Information Center on America's Cup Avenue or at the Newport Art Museum on Bellevue Avenue. For more information please call (401) 848-8200. Gallery Night Providence is on April 19^th from 5-7pm. You can hop on a free art bus and visit two-dozen galleries, museums, and historic sites throughout the capital city. There is free parking for this event at select locations and for more information please call (401) 490-2042.

Let's not forget about opening day for the Pawtucket Red Sox! Come on down and celebrate the opening of baseball and the beginning of spring at McCoy Stadium, home of the Paw Sox, at 7 o'clock on April 13th. The triple A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox will play against the New York Yankees affiliate team. Ticket prices are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased on the Pawtucket Red Sox website or by calling (401) 724-7300. Let's go Red Sox!

For a breathtaking view, visit Daffodil Days in Bristol from April 14^th to April 29^th. Located at the Blithewold Mansion on Ferry Road, this 33-acre garden estate is covered with over 50,000 daffodils. Please call (401) 253-2707 for more details.

And to sum up the beginning of spring, head on down to the 9^th annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race! This event is located in Pawcatuck Park on the corner of Mechanic and Main Streets in Westerly. There are over 20,000 rubber ducks racing down the river towards the finish line. Sponsor your own duck for a chance to wins all sorts of prizes. The proceeds of the event will go to area schools and non-profit organizations. There are also duck games, face painting, and food offered throughout the day. For more information, please call (401) 596-7761.

Now get out there and enjoy, celebrate, and rejoice in springtime!!