Furlong Easter Parade

The Furlong Easter Bonnet Parade in Ringwood is on Easter Saturday, April 3 from 10.30am.

This colourful event will gladden the heart and lift spectators out of the chilly gloom of winter.

Dozens of children are expected at the Furlong clutching their colourful bonnets, or dressed as bunnies. The children will delight onlookers with a parade around the town, driven in vintage cars and on a farm wagon and to add to the spectacle the Furlong donkeys, Cinderella and Pedr will be joining them adorned in their Easter bonnets. The birds of prey from Liberties Raptor and Reptile Centre will also be on exhibition, along with the Count Backwards magic show and the Dolphin Marching Band.

There will be lots of Easter egg prizes to be won, donated by Waitrose, along with family vouchers to see the birds, snakes and lizards at Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre.

The Furlong events will include the Ringwood Waldorf School's delightful Easter Fair, offering home made cakes and delicate crafts.

Judging of the bonnets starts at 11am. There will be three categories for the bonnets: 4 years and under, 5 years to 7 years and 8 years to 13 years and just one category for the bunnies. Each will be judged by the Ringwood Mayor, Cllr Christine Ford, who will be assisted by Furlong store managers, Amy Scott from Hobbs, Gemma Parsons from East and Lynette Neal from Jaeger.

All entrants will receive an Easter egg prize and winners will receive family tickets to the Ringwood Raptor and Reptile Centre with  an Easter egg from Waitrose.

Event organiser Belinda Charlton said, "This is the 16th year for the Easter bonnet parade.  It has always been a popular event at the Furlong in Ringwood and this year promises to be as fun packed as ever.  It is always such a joy to see the children come along with their mums and dads dressed in the bonnets and bunny outfits to join in this traditional Easter event."