MANSFIELD comes alive every Easter and with the weather still holding out to be warm days, this long weekend is looking to be a bumper one with no COVID restrictions to hamper visitors.
Camping grounds are open, bush tracks also remain open for 4WD, hiking and exploring while the town comes alive with a bush market, football matches, art shows, Easter church services and much more.
The weekend starts on Good Friday with the Apex club holding its annual coin toss in High Street; donations going to the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal.
At Bonnie Doon the annual Good Friday footy and netball matches will be held against long–term rival club Benalla All Blacks – food and drinks available.
The bush market returns with more than 100 stallholders expected to attend including one new local producer coming along for the first time.
The Mansfield Bush Market is recognised for its eclectic mix of fresh produce, gourmet and snack foods, arts and crafts, garden and homewares and much more.
The Mansfield Youth performers under the guidance of FReeZA will be entertaining.
The Masonic Lodge is the venue for Richard Watson's annual art exhibition with more than 40 artists displaying their works which are all up for sale.
As Easter is nearing Anzac Day, the RSL will open its doors on Saturday for visitors to view its museum and memoirs room, purchase an Anzac token and talk with local members about what the RSL does for returned and serving armed forces personnel.
St John's Church will hold its morning Devonshire teas in the church grounds while St Francis Xavier Church parishioners will be holding a 'bargain hunt' day in its church grounds (Hunter Street) with a huge variety of household goods and produce for sale.
At the Mansfield Recreation Reserve the Eagles play a home match against Seymour and at the half time break will conduct the Golf Ball Drop – 200 golf balls dropped from a helicopter with the closest ball to a target gaining a prize for its purchaser.
Mt Buller also comes alive for Easter with its High Fun Run, festivities including a champagne and seafood soiree from 2pm to 5pm (Saturday). On the Sunday there is the village market and the annual kids' Easter Egg Hunt.
Lake Eildon is pretty much full and campers and visitors are welcome to enjoy the last of the summer sun with water sports.
Take the kids to the Mansfield Zoo – it's open all weekend.
The Goughs Bay Boat Club is holding a Skyhooks Show with the kitchen open all day, drinks at the bar and plenty of entertainment.
Also at Goughs Bay drop into the High Country Maze and world renowned artist Tony Pridham's art gallery.
And if that's not enough take a walk around town, wander into the shops and or just ask a local what you can do next.
Happy Easter everyone.
