Hats off to Manx National Heritage this Easter as our sites are bursting at the seams with activities for all to enjoy. Get dressed in your Monday best as Rushen Abbey holds a traditional bonnet parade on 25th April. Bring along your homemade Easter Bonnets and model them in a parade around the beautiful gardens, every entry receives a mini Easter egg. The parade will take place at 2pm and will be judged by special guests, prizes will be awarded for the best adult and children’s bonnets. Make them as colourful and creative as you like, from paper to fabric, decorated with lace doilies, Easter pictures to tissue paper flowers. Any size and style goes whether it’s a traditional Manx bonnet, top hat, boater hat or even a fascinator. Download a simple template and guide from www.storyofmann.com. Children can also follow the Easter trail around the medieval centre, ruins and grounds, solving the clues to claim their prize. Also on Easter Monday, in the beautiful springtime setting of Cregneash, join in the recipe of fun activities with a Bonnag Competition and Egg-Rolling. Bring your own hand decorated hardboiled egg, and roll it down the hill in an egg-rolling contest at 12pm! There will be a prize for the best decorated egg. Bring your best homemade Bonnag to Harry Kelly’s cottage at 1pm where our Cregneash culinary critics will reward the tastiest entry with a gift hamper. At the Grove, Ramsey, on Easter Sunday (24th April), we have invited some special farmyard friends into the country house garden! Meet the miniature horses and Loughton sheep, with the chance to name the little lamb just born this spring. Entries judged by 3pm, with the chosen name revealed at 3.30pm and the lucky winner receiving their gift. Children who bring along their own cuddly toy animals will receive a free mini Easter egg. Over the Easter weekend, help to locate Lord Stanley’s Treasure in a new trail at Castle Rushen. Complete the trail to receive a special reward, exclusive Good Friday to Easter Monday! With May just around the corner, don’t miss May Day at Cregneash on Sunday 1st May with the opportunity to learn about a traditional Manx May Day ‘Laa Boaldyn’ with crafts, cookery and poetry readings or try your hand at Manx dancing accompanied by local musicians. Also on May Day, visit the House of Manannan’s fabulous Spring Fayre with craft and gift stalls, Manx Farmers market, traditional craft making activities and live music for all the family to enjoy. All seasonal sites are open throughout Spring from 11am to 4pm, Laxey Wheel open from 10am. Standard admission charges apply at all sites. Admission is FREE for ACE Cardholders and FMNH Members. A 5-site seasonal pass or 10 Day Explorer Pass offers the best value if you plan to visit several of the MNH sites over the Easter/ Spring break. Buy online at www.manxheritageshop.com or at any of the main MNH sites. ENDS