Photo by Elgin FreemanThe Miss Boston Court graces the 2016 Boston Easter Parade.

BOSTON — Spring has sprung in Boston, and the community is ready for the 27th Annual Boston Spring Fling and Auction on Saturday, April 15, in downtown Boston.

Hosted by the Boston Community Club, the annual event, always scheduled the Saturday before Easter, has become a favorite spring event as families gather for Easter.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with arts/crafts vendors setting up on Main Street. There is no fee to participate but applications are required and can be found online at www.bostonga.com. Click on events and follow prompts. Betty Hoskins, at (229) 224-8660, is coordinating vendors and welcomes inquiries.

Many plants and homemade items will be available, as well as collectibles and specialties.

At 10 a.m., the Easter Bonnet contest begins at Watt Park. Open to children of all ages, bonnets are judged on originality. There is no fee to enter, and awards are given. Nancy Hoffman, who is in charge of the event, expressed amazement at the creative and clever hats she has seen through the years. Hoffman can be reached at (229) 498-1228.

Neither is there a fee to enter the Easter Parade that begins at 10:30 a.m. Applications can be found at www.bostonga.com, or call Boston Mayor Danny Groover at (229) 498-4065. Groover expects competition to be keen for best-decorated golf cart as entries compete for a cash prize. 

“Everyone is encouraged to enter the parade,” he said. “Other vehicles are accepted, such as bicycles, pickup trucks, classic cars, horses, or you can don a colorful outfit and walk the course to join the fun.”

More competitive fun begins with the auction at 11 a.m. at Watt Park. Register — for $1 — to receive a bid number, and get prepared to bid often and high as the auctioneer takes bids on items ranging from vacations, to yard and garden items, to a day of fishing in a pond on a local plantation, to gift certificates from participating restaurants and shops, among other items. Christie Thomas, auction coordinator, can be reached at (229) 403-7175.

At 1 p.m., an Easter Egg Hunt for children under 12 will take place at the Commercial Bank parking lot. Richard Reynolds coordinates the event. There is no charge, and baskets will be provided. Reynolds can be reached at (229) 221-3209.

The Mystery Egg Hunt begins Monday, April 10, with clues posted daily. A Mystery Egg is hidden in the downtown area, and clues will be posted daily in businesses to give participants hints on the location. A nice Easter basket awaits the person finding the mystery egg.

Downtown Boston shops and restaurants will be open with specials and activities to add to the day’s activities.

Auction proceeds will be used to sponsor other community events and maintain the community center on Main Street. 

The Boston Community Club is open to all residents in the Boston community. There is no membership fee. The club meets monthly on third Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

For more information about the Spring Fling schedule or to register for any of the events, go to www.bostonga.com/events and follow prompts or call Groover at (229) 498-1029.