Spring is finally here with Easter close behind. Check out these area events that are sure to brighten your day.

Monday, March 23

• Paint Class with Bev at 6:30 p.m. at Gutekunst Public Library’s Fireside Room. Free event for all ages. Paint a bunny in an Easter basket. Register at: www.statecenter.lib.ia.us, call 641-483-2741 or email gutekunsthelpdesk@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 28

• Ready, Set Bloom — State Center Easter Event, presented by the State Center Development Association, will have something for everyone. The State Center Fire & EMS biscuits and gravy breakfast is set for 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. upstairs at City Hall, 118 E. Main Street, with breakfast served by local fire and EMS. Free will donation, all proceeds go toward training room tables and chairs. The vendor market at Mitchell Family Funeral Home will go 8 a.m. to noon at 104 W. Main Street. Shop local vendors and find unique goodies just in time for spring. Easter Bunny and children’s activities will span 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 102 Third Ave SE, hosted at Brian’s Collision with Joan Postal’s Insurance. Bring the kids to meet the Easter Bunny, Super Heroes and enjoy fun activities. The Easter Egg Hunt at the One Room School House will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• Le Grand Parks & Recreation will sponsor a meal, egg hunt and photos with the Easter Bunny. Breakfast will span 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., photos from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and an egg hunt starting at 9:30 a.m. for multiple ages, all at 204 N. Vine Street.

• The Sweet Memories Easter Bunny Photo Event, sponsored by Lillie Mae Chocolates and Shanna Draper Photo & Video, will run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Echo sculpture on 13th Street (inside Lillie Mae if raining). Enjoy a complementary photo with the Easter Bunny and something special from Lillie Mae.

Wednesday, April 1

• A Family Holy Week Interactive Adventure from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at New Hope Christian Church, 3901 S. Center Street. Bring the Easter story to life for your family through engaging and meaningful activities. Come and go with the times that work best for your family. A free pizza supper will be served until 6:15 p.m. No Easter Egg drop this year.

Friday, April 3

• Enjoy the tradition of Easter egg hunting but with a twist, at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA. Hop into the pool and collect all the eggs. Eggs will be floating and underwater. When done, turn eggs in for prizes and take your picture with the Easter Bunny. Parents must be in the water with children six months through age 7. Registration cost per child: $5 for Y members and $10 for non-members. (Maximum five people per family). Hunt for the first 15 minutes, followed by optional free swim for 45 minutes. Time slots: Six months to five years from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; ages 6-12 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Registration closes March 31.

Saturday, April 4

• Join the Melbourne Fire Department for its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. sharp, going until noon. This will be at the ball fields again at Meier Memorial Park, 613 Main Street.

Easter Extravaganza at New Life Church (2101 S. 1st Ave) on April 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be a fun, family-friendly event for our community with a free lunch for everyone, bounce houses, balloon animals, face painting and cotton candy. We will also have a candy rain for all the kids in attendance, along with a Golden Egg Challenge, where children will have the opportunity to win larger prizes. Additionally, our coffee shop will be open to the public during event hours, and all proceeds will go toward our new building expansion.