In 2020, Lauritzen Gardens was unable to host their annual Easter Extravaganza because of the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the gardens to temporarily close.
After a few months, the gardens were able to reopen in June – well past to Easter season. This year, to ensure the festivities went on while keeping visitors safe, they implemented extra precautions.
Outside of requiring mask while indoors. Lauritzen Gardens requires visitors to reserve entry times online to prevent an access of people at one time. While there is no limit to how long the guests can stay, there is an expectation that social distancing is honored while at the gardens.
The Easter Extravaganza is an outdoor event, with the majority of festivities occurring along the walkways of the gardens. In the past, the event took place over a few hours on one day, but this year the experience is happening from March 26 to April 11.
“We are members of the gardens so we get, like, updates and stuff on the fun and little stuff that they’re doing,” said Nicole, Lauritzen Gardens member. “So, we try to do three or four different events every year that we try to attend. They’re always fun.”
There are a few activities that children can enjoy while celebrating Easter traditions. The main one is a non-traditional Easter egg hunt, where each party can search for a total of 14 large colored Easter egg signs that are dispersed all over the trails.
“The eggs are right along the path,” said Nicole. “If you stay along the path and walk through the garden you will pretty much see them all. There are little chickens, and bunnies that keep you going in the right direction to find all the eggs.”
There is also a “Golden Easter Egg Hunt” where there are 12 small golden Easter eggs scattered along the trail where children can find them and turn them into the main building to get a prize.
“So far there have only been two eggs turned in, so there is still 10 out there,” said Lauritzen Gardens volunteer Katy Murphy.
In addition to the Easter Extravaganza, Lauritzen Gardens also has a “Fantastical Folklore” exhibit on display till the beginning of May. The gardens also just got the engines rolling for their model train garden and their tram tour service this past weekend.
