From barleywine to Peeps dioramas: 10 ways to celebrate Easter in Philly

Easter is about more than candy and colored eggs (though we do love those). It's also a good time to get out and get hopping with these festive doings (all free, unless noted).

Hop a hayride to the floppy-eared fellow's house, have a pony ride, and see some cute baby chicks and ducklings in Bunnyland at Linvilla Orchards (137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media), from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $9 per person. Information: 610-874-4678.

At the Easter Eggstravaganza at Shady Brook Farm (931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley), take a wagon ride to see the fuzzy-tailed one and look for treats in the egg-hunting grounds. There's also the giant jumping pillows, pedal go-carts, a playground. Pro tip: Bring a basket. Tickets are $10 ages 12 and younger; $3 ages 13 and up. Information: 215-968-1670.

You can look around your place (the eggs are there, we believe it). Or else, seek out those amazing colorful ovoids at some of the region's myriad egg hunts. Here's a few of our faves.

Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation (3900 N. Sandy Flash Dr., Newtown Square) has three hunts Saturday, at 11 a.m. (ages 1 to 4), 11:15 a.m. (ages to 5 to 8), and 11:30 a.m. (ages 9 to 12). All eggs come with surprises. Golden eggs bring a chance to select a prize from the farm barrel. There's also a show by the Segal Puppet Theatre and Company, and baby rabbits and chicks. Tickets: $8; ages under 4 free. Information: 610-566-1725.

Powers Park (Almond and Ann Streets), has a photo booth, bounce houses, and prizes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Historic Stenton (4601 N. 18th St.), which includes a program about natural dyes, egg coloring, games, and crafts from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the colonial home of James Logan, William Penn's secretary. Reservation required; bring your own basket. Information: 215-329-7312.

Make some room for the candy with the Philly Rabbit Run 5K or 1-Mile Walk sponsored by Shake It Off at the Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W. Girard Ave.), from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. The $45 entry fee includes zoo admission, and benefits Parkinson's disease research. Stick around for the postrace party with music by Scarlett Sometime. Information: 610-399-9904.

For more fun ways to get active this summer, check out From the Color Run to Tough Mudder: 20 obstacle courses and fun runs.

Seeking more grown-up treats? Leave the kids and try Split Thy Skull XXI: The 21st Annual Barleywine Festival at Tattooed Mom (525 South St.) from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. (We don't think you need a tattoo to get in, but we find a stick-on helps us feel reborn to be wild.) The fest carries on a springtime tradition, offering flights and single servings of the best of the strong ales brewed locally and nationally. Admission is free. Information: 215-238-9880.

For 85 years, Philadelphians have been putting on their bonnets, bows, baubles, and finest frippery to show off on Easter Sunday. Though they once made the scene at Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia's Easter Promenade has been happily held for years on South Street in the Headhouse District. Starting, as always, right after church, at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, it goes from Passyunk Avenue and South Street east to the Headhouse at Second Street Plaza (Second and Pine Streets).

The image of Easter in these parts, as much as the big bunny, has long been jeweler Henri David, the marvelously mustachioed master of ceremonies.

There will be prizes given for the best-dressed in all age categories, plus family and pet categories. Spectators welcome, but don't turn down that proffered pair of bunny ears -- get with the strut, no matter what manner of sartorial expression you've got going on.

As in years past, there will be music by the Philadelphia Freedom Band, dancing (the Bunny Hop, of course!), and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cottontail and the Easter Bunny. Information: 215-413-3713.

Down the Shore, the Easter Fashion Promenade takes place on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, N.J., starting at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace (825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ). Information: 609-399-6111.

The greatest of all Easter sweets (and even better when stale) are honored for the third year running with the Peeps Diorama Contest at the wonderful Big Blue Marble Bookstore (551 Carpenter Lane) in Mount Airy. There are five categories for the Day-Glo delights, arranged in show boxes on various themes. It's too late to enter, but get some ideas for next year at the final judging at 2 p.m. Sunday. Information: 215-844-1870.