Eggs and Then Some

Easter is an occasion to think about animals in novel ways. To start, of course, there’s that bunny that delivers eggs--a concept so old we’ve come to overlook the fact that no such thing exists in nature.

Naturally--or, unnaturally, really--there will be an Easter Bunny at the Ventura Harbor Village Easter celebration this weekend. But there will also be parrots and ponies.

Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., the costume-character Easter Bunny will give out Easter eggs and other treats, assisted by another costume character, Carrot Top. In nature, and even in cartoons, rabbits and carrots have a less collegial relationship. This weekend, holiday spirits will unite them to make kids happy.

Sunday at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. there will be a parrot show at the village fountain. In addition to the parrots--and some majestic macaws with big beaks and big vocabularies--the “world’s biggest parakeet,” named Allie, will be performing a clown act. Also, kids will see Wazoo, an African gray parrot that can imitate any sound it hears.

In charge of these shows, which last 20 to 25 minutes, will be Santa Clarita-based animal trainer Wendy Horton. She says she always includes facts about birds in her presentations. “Adults will appreciate the educational content, [and] the children will be having so much fun they won’t even know they’re learning,” she said.

Both days there will be pony rides as well.

And what would Easter be without an Easter egg hunt? Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m., Ventura Harbor Village merchants will hand out Easter eggs filled with toys, candy and prizes, as kids hunt for eggs by going from shop to shop. The eggs will be free but only available at participating merchants, those with a picture of an egg in the window.

Dan Ray, a magician-ventriloquist, will carry on the weekend’s bunny theme in his Sunday performances at the village fountain at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

BE THERE

Easter Weekend Celebration, Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Saturday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Easter egg hunt Sunday from 1-3 p.m. (805) 644-0169.