Oakland celebrates spring with Celebration Among the Oaks festival

The town of Oakland’s Celebration Among the Oaks event is returning to bring the community together for a springtime festival with several new experiences.

Now with an expanded footprint throughout the historic downtown area from VanderLey Park to the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center, families are invited to enjoy a helicopter Easter egg drop, photos with the Easter bunny, petting zoo, interactive children’s activities, live music and more.

The event, to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, will offer attendees some fun opportunities. They can watch more than 10,000 eggs drop from the sky by helicopter during an egg hunt hosted by The Lakeside Church; play in a continuous stream of bubbles at The Bubble Bus; visit the Easter Bunny in Oakland’s gazebo; pet bunnies, baby chicks and goats; and listen to live music on the center porch, presented by HAPCO Music Foundation.

The Orange County Public Library System is presenting a StoryWalk with “Planting a Rainbow,” by Lois Ehlert, along the West Orange Trail. The Bloom & Grow Garden Society will teach folks how to prune herbs and will share the environmental benefits of pollinators at Westly's Herb Garden. Guests also can discover the rich history of Oakland by exploring the new Est. 1887 exhibition, a combination of local art and history delving into the founding of the town.