Spring is in the air, though it still arrives with the occasional reminder of winter. This in-between season always brings a sense of anticipation, especially with Spring Break around the corner. It’s the perfect time to start planning the summer garden, pack away the last of the winter gear, and look ahead to longer, warmer days. Before long, we’ll all be back to enjoying peaceful walks around the lake and soaking in that fresh, crisp air. Here are some events happening in our community and beyond:

Families are invited to celebrate spring at the annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Easter Bunny and the Cochecton Men’s Club. The event will take place on Saturday, April 4 at 1:00 p.m. sharp at the Cochecton Men’s Sports Complex. Children and families are encouraged to come out and enjoy the fun as they search for colorful eggs and celebrate the holiday together. The organizers look forward to welcoming the community for an afternoon of seasonal fun and tradition. Be sure to arrive on time so no one misses the start of the hunt. The Cochecton Men’s Club hopes to see many local families there as everyone gathers to celebrate Easter and enjoy time together outdoors.

River Rep Theatre will present its 3rd Annual Gala Benefit on Saturday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Delaware Valley Opera Center, located at 6692 NY-52 in Lake Huntington. Benefiting River Rep’s 2026 season, the evening will showcase the River Rep ensemble, members of River Rep Jr., and an impressive lineup of local and visiting artists. 

Guests can enjoy a dynamic program of musical performances and scenes from the upcoming season, including the world premiere of the AI-inspired dark comedy Tomorrow Today, encore performances of The Neverending Story, and Eugene Ionesco’s classic Rhinoceros, among others. 

The event will feature performances by Arthur Aulisi, Alden Bratland, Thomas Cambridge, Matt Carpenter, Jessica Davis-Irons, Andrew Kitson, Giuliana DiCostanzo, Luna Ditacchio, Kazzrie Jaxen, Lexee McEntee, Susan Mendoza, Christopher Parsons, Christopher Peditto, Iliana Pena, Cooper Quinn, Shane Rennison, Oliver Schumacher, Charles Schroeder, Nick Sherman, Margie Stokley, Malcolm Strother, Greg Triggs, Crystal Tweed, Laura Velez, and Waverly Van Aalsburg, under the direction of Arthur Aulisi, Jessica Davis-Irons, and Christopher Peditto.

Attendees will also enjoy a full buffet featuring cuisine from top Sullivan Catskills restaurants and chefs, along with a cash bar available throughout the evening. A silent auction, launching online in early April and continuing beyond gala night, will offer a variety of art, goods, and services from local artists and businesses. Seating is limited, and early reservations are encouraged. Tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit riverrep.org.

Save the date! The Cochecton Youth Commission is excited to host a special CrunchLabs STEM Event for local youth on April 25 at 10:00 a.m. at the lower level of Cochecton Town Hall. Inspired by engineer and popular YouTube creator Mark Rober, CrunchLabs focuses on making science and engineering fun through hands-on building and creative problem-solving. A former NASA engineer, Rober created CrunchLabs to help kids think like engineers, and this event will give participants the opportunity to explore STEM concepts, build, experiment, and discover just how engaging learning can be. More details and sign-up information will be available soon, and those interested can learn more about CrunchLabs by visiting their Facebook page.

If you have a local business that would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming column, please get in touch! Please email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events, and happenings. You can also find me online at https://rustic-road.com/.