Berkshire Botanical Garden began its 88th season with its first ever Spring Hoppening on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

More than 275 people attended.

View a photo gallery from the day.

“We wanted to kick off our spring season with a fun family event, and it was definitely fun,” said Thaddeus Thompson, Interim Executive Director of Berkshire Botanical Garden. “We'll be doing this again next year.”

A highlight of the event will be egg hunts. With the help of the Garden’s Herb Associates and other volunteers, upwards of 1,500 environmentally friendly “eggs,” will be made and distributed throughout the Garden, each containing regionally native seeds ready for spring planting. The egg hunts will take place in Procter Garden and Lucy’s Garden.

With generous sponsorship from Mielke Confections, in Great Barrington, Spring Hoppening will include craft activities for kids, baby chicks on hand, rides on a mini horse-drawn cart and opportunities to have photos taken with a rather large and friendly bunny. The Garden's gift shop will be open with plants and garden items for sale. Beverages, including a mimosa bar and snacks will be available. 

At 11 a.m. the first of two egg hunts begins for children up to 4 years old, followed at 11:30 a.m. with an egg hunt for children ages of 5 through 12. At noon, Wenonah Webster will lead an early spring tree identification tour, as leaves begin to bud throughout the 24-acre Garden. 

Admission is $8 per person (and free for children under the age of 4). 

While on site, visitors can view the art show “Shimmer” on display in the Leonhardt Galleries.