Easter brings a special twist to Baumholder children

Easter in Baumholder has a special twist to it this year. After the traditional Easter egg hunt, “Star Wars” storm troopers, sumo wrestlers and zombies will take center stage.

These are just a few of the attractions this year as Child, Youth and Schools Services presents “A Day at the Movies,” a movie themed “kinderfest,” or children’s festival, for the entire U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder community, being held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 30.

This year’s Easter egg hunt will be held on the field next to Wetzel Elementary School (west side). The remainder of the activities will be in and around the area of School Age Services. If you head toward Wetzel Elementary School, you can’t miss it.

Children from the German Catholic and Protestant kindergarten classes have again been invited to participate in the festivities.

Since April is the Month of the Military Child and also Autism Awareness Month, Lt. Col. Mike Sullivan, USAG Baumholder commander, will open the festivities by signing proclamations in support of these commemorations. Sullivan will also sign the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Customer Service Covenant. The covenant affirms FMWR’s dedication and service to its customers.

The Easter egg hunt begins after Sullivan welcomes everyone and the kinderfest activities begin immediately after the three minutes it will take the children to pick the field clean of eggs.

Three bouncy castles, a boxing ring, sumo wrestling, a zombie factory and a stunt factory are a few of the activities lined up for the children.

There will also be stations set up where children can build “Harry Potter” wands, build princess crowns and make superhero capes. Emerald City surprises await all the children who visit the “Wizard of Oz” room.

Four members of the 501st Legion will roam the festival area dressed in authentic “Star Wars” costumes.

Kinderfest visitors can also see military working dogs, explosive ordnance disposal robots and Aikido demonstrations.

The Hilltop Theater will showcase its latest project with a performance of “The Little Mermaid.”

Shuttle bus service to Wetzel will be available for families who live in Smith Housing. Pick up points will be at the mail room, 10:11 a.m.; Lagerhof, 10:13 a.m.; Smith CYS, 10:14 a.m.; and Smith Housing, Bldg. 8028, 10:16 a.m.
Return trips from the Wetzel housing office area (near the fest site) are at 3:05, 4:17 and 5:08 p.m.