What to do in East Meadow this weekend?

Though it may seem hard to believe given recent temperatures, spring is right around the corner, and with the change in season comes a plethora of activity among local East Meadow institutions and organizations. But even before the season officially begins on March 20, residents looking to enjoy fun-filled, family-oriented activities have plenty to choose from this weekend.

On Friday evening, the Kiwanis Club of the Nassau University Medical Center (a separate club than local East Meadow Kiwanis) hosts its inaugural Book Ball, geared to raise money and awareness for the hospital’s Reach Out and Read program, which promotes early literacy among children as young as six months old.

Since the program’s inception last August, the hospital’s pediatric waiting room has become an interactive, enriching reading site loaded with hundreds of books available to children. Books are also available in exam rooms for kids to take home and read. But in order to replenish its book supply, the hospital relies on donations.

The Book Ball, which costs $60 to attend, will donate all of its proceeds to the program. The event, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the East Meadow Fire Department headquarters on 197 East Meadow Avenue, will also be a celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. There will be dinner, a DJ, raffles, dancing and more.

On Saturday, residents have multiple options. Temple Emanu-El of East Meadow, on 123 Merrick Ave., is hosting its annual Carni-Ball, to celebrate Purim, which commemorates the escape of the Jewish people from annihilation by the ancient Persian Empire. The event, beginning at 6 p.m., will have a Hollywood theme, and the synagogue encourages children to arrive in costume. The cost is $12 per person, $5 for children under 5, with a $48 max per family.