Ostara is a pagan festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. It is also known as the Spring Equinox. This festival is observed by various pagan traditions, including Wiccans and Druids. Ostara takes place around March 20th or 21st, when the day and night are of equal length. This represents the balance between light and darkness. It is a time of renewal and rebirth, as the earth starts to awaken from its winter slumber.
The Sentinel-Record/Rebekah Hedges EDUCATION IN MOTION: Joaquin Guillermo, left, a first-grader from Highland Oaks Elementary, and his brother, Abraham Guillermo, of Memphis, Tenn., throw a ball to Bear, Hot Springs police Officer Jonathan Smith's K-9, Friday during Education in Motion at Magic Springs Theme & Water Park.
These musical adventures are cheap, fun, and exciting events you won t want to pass up this summer, and your kids will love rocking out in a safe atmosphere. Miranda Welch, a math teacher in the Cutter Morning Star School District, took a group of 16 high school students who had met behavioral and academic requirements to Education in Motion and had a blast.
It is a time of renewal and rebirth, as the earth starts to awaken from its winter slumber. The main idea of Ostara is to celebrate the return of life and fertility. The word "Ostara" is believed to come from the Old English word for "Easter," which is also associated with the resurrection and new beginnings.
Summer Fun at Magic Springs
If you happen to be in or around Hot Springs, Arkansas, the lush green mountain city well known and popular tourist (especially eco-tourism) destination, this summer you are in for a true treat. If you aren’t going to be around the area, we have a few really good reasons why you should reconsider, especially if you need a fun, memorable, and educational trip idea for a class, group of children or your family!
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water and Theme Park is arguably the most popular amusement park in the entire state, located deep in the heart of Hot Springs and just about 45 minutes away from Little Rock. Here you can experience all the fun of both theme park coasters and water park slides, not to mention the gorgeous Ouachita Mountain Scenery, learning opportunities, and nearby museums, restaurants, and local attractions.
Besides boasting everyday opportunities to have fun, learn, and make memories, Magic Springs also offers a few notable summer events that we think student and family groups will really enjoy, plus they are super affordable and a really big hit with the kids! You’re going to love the diverse range of activities, and your kids are going to love the rides, the concerts, and the campouts!
Here are some notable 2016 summer events you should plan on attending this summer:
4-H Down on the Farm Day - July 30th - If you are a member of 4-H and enjoy good ole fashioned farm fun then you are going to love a full day of affordable, educational, and scientific farming activities! This event is sponsored by the U of A Division of Agricultural Research and Extension as well as Magic Springs, of course, and allows 4-H members and their family to enjoy theme park rides, view and learn about large farm equipment, and partake in several 4-H science activities. There will be a little Mr. and Ms. Farmers contest, square dancing, and an evening performance by Dwight Yoakam, not to mention plenty of delicious food and memories to be made throughout the entire day!
Girl Scout Diamonds Magic Springs Campout - June 17th & 18th
**Boy Scouts - July 23rd - Calling all girl scouts, this Magic Springs summer campout is something you definitely aren’t going to want to miss! The Diamond Girl Scouts (Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas) are organizing their second annual Magic Springs Campout, as it was a really big hit on its first year! This will allow your girls to "campout and rock and roll with fellow girl scouts," spending Friday night in the park, then having all the next day to participate in plenty of memorable fun. The family can even join in on Saturday for a really affordable price! Enjoy behind the scenes tours, a ride on the Arkansas Twister, a big-screen movie and popcorn, a great Magic Springs breakfast, a new patch, and even a Mercy Me concert! Talk about a good time, what could be better, girls?
Education in Motion - May 20th - This fun summer option at Magic Springs is especially great for summer school groups, daycare or summer care groups, church camps, or any group looking to learn something just as much as have fun. The Education in Motion series strives to "take traditional classroom knowledge and apply it in a thrilling hands-on environment," which it does very well at Magic Springs with the mechanical monsters that are their inventive coasters. They learn several different age-appropriate scientific principles and mathematical reasoning skills, from calculating the speed of a coaster before and after riding it to learning all there is to know about kinetic energy. If you bring a large group you will have the option to have a meal catered in the picnic pavilions as well, a really convenient park feature!
Summer Concert Series - Magic Springs and Crystal Falls has an absolutely excellent summer concert series each summer, a really affordable event to attend on those hot summer nights in Arkansas, after you splash and ride around all day, of course. Enjoy weekly or bi-weekly nighttime concerts, this year including such artists as Mercy Me, Blues Traveler, Hinder, Candlebox, Cheap Trick, and Hunter Hayes. These concerts are each really affordable, and there is also an end of the summer Music Festival featuring several different bands all for the same price. These musical adventures are cheap, fun, and exciting events you won’t want to pass up this summer, and your kids will love rocking out in a safe atmosphere!
During Ostara, people participate in various rituals and activities to honor the changing seasons. This may include lighting bonfires, planting seeds, and decorating eggs. Eggs, in particular, are a symbol of fertility and new life, and are often painted or dyed in vibrant colors. Ostara is also a time to honor and connect with nature. Many people take this opportunity to go for walks in the woods, collect flowers and make floral arrangements, or simply spend time outdoors. It is a time to appreciate the beauty and abundance of the natural world. Overall, Ostara is a joyful and festive celebration that marks the transition from winter to spring. It is a time to embrace the new beginnings and opportunities that come with the changing seasons..
Reviews for "The Sacred Animal Connections to Ostara: Rabbits and Hares"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - The Ostara pagan festival was a complete disappointment. I found it to be disorganized and lacking any genuine spiritual or cultural significance. The vendors were mostly selling cheap trinkets and the food options were subpar. The overall atmosphere felt more like a chaotic flea market rather than a reverent celebration of the equinox. I expected to learn more about the history and customs associated with Ostara, but instead, it just felt like a commercialized event. Needless to say, I won't be attending again.
2. James - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the effort put into organizing the Ostara pagan festival, there were several aspects that left me unimpressed. Firstly, the festival grounds were overcrowded, making it difficult to navigate and enjoy the various offerings. Additionally, there was a lack of diverse activities or workshops related to pagan traditions. It seemed like a missed opportunity to educate attendees about the significance of Ostara. Lastly, the price of admission didn't justify the overall experience. I hope the organizers take these criticisms into account for future events.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - My expectations for the Ostara pagan festival were high, but unfortunately, they weren't met. The event lacked a cohesive theme and failed to cultivate a genuine sense of community. The limited number of food stalls resulted in long lines and limited options, which was frustrating. I also found that many of the participating vendors were selling generic goods that didn't align with the spiritual essence of the festival. Overall, I left feeling underwhelmed and disenchanted. I would encourage the organizers to focus more on creating a meaningful and immersive experience for attendees in the future.