CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The 2016 Easter Carnival kicks off Saturday at the state Capitol Complex.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin are inviting West Virginians to join in on a number of games and several activities during this year’s celebration taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This, to me, is an opportune time to bring in the Spring,” the First Lady told MetroNews Friday.
The event will include games, prizes, food, face painting and more for children and families. Door prizes will be awarded at 12 p.m. for children 12 years old and under.
The First Lady said her favorite part of the carnival is watching children light up to see the Easter Bunny.
“I enjoy talking to all the children and of course I like taking pictures with the Easter Bunny and the kids, which is a really fun thing to do,” she said.
The state Division of Culture and History is planning the event. Deputy Commissioner Caryn Greshman said they put this together every year to bring the community together.
“All of the kids have fun here,” she said. “It fills the Capitol grounds with lots of giggling and running back and forth. It’s just neat to see the kids and their parents enjoying the Capitol grounds.”
At around 12:20 p.m. Gresham said they will host the eighth annual A. James Manchin Memorial Marble Tournament in the Culture Center.
The event is free and open to the public.