Easter Happenings on the Gulf

All along the Alabama and Florida Gulf coasts, communities are getting ready to celebrate Easter this weekend with live music, egg hunts, bunny visits, and more — and visitors of all ages are welcome to join in! Following is a (partial) list of what’s going on. Destin and South Walton — The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, April 19, noon to 3 p.m., Easter Explosion. Visits with the Easter Bunny, kids’ crafts, Inflatable Fun Zone, stilt walker making balloon animals, face painting. There will be a special showing of Peter and the Wolf, presented by Sinfonia Gulf Coast, at 1 p.m. http://www.baytownewharf.com — Emerald Grande, HarborView Room and HarborWalk Village, Destin, April 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Easter Bunny Brunch (till 2 p.m.) in the HarborView Room, followed by kids’ activities and photos with the Easter Bunny at HarborWalk Village. http://www.emeraldgrande.com — Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, April 20, 6 a.m., sunrise service, conducted by Destin UMC. www.destinumc.org — Eastern and Western greens, Rosemary Beach, April 20, non-denominational worship service, (8:30 a.m. on the Eastern Green; bring your own low-rise chair), followed by an Easter egg hunt and complimentary mimosas for the adults (9:45 on the Western Green, rain or shine). http://www.rosemarybeach.com — WaterColor Inn and Resort, Marina Park, Rosemary Beach, April 20, 12:30-2 p.m., WaterColor Easter Celebration. Free and open to the public, so bring the kids for an Easter egg hunt and more! www.watercolorresort.com — Baytowne Marina, Sandestin, April 20, 1-3 p.m., Easter lunch cruise on the Solaris. Enjoy a three-course buffet meal prepared by the luxury yacht’s executive chefs. Reservations required. www.SunQuestCruises.com or 850-650-2519 — Lyceum Lawn, Seaside, annual Easter Egg-stravaganza, April 20, noon to 2 p.m. Events include a visit from the Easter Bunny, live music from 30A Radio, and an Easter egg hunt for more than 12,000 eggs. http://www.seasidefl.com Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area — The Wharf, Orange Beach, April 19, 11 a.m. — Easter egg hunt featuring 2,500 eggs, face painting, balloon artists, and more. http://www.alwharf.com — Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Live Oak Plaza, Theodore, AL, April 20, 6:30 a.m., Easter sunrise service, followed by Continental breakfast in the Magnolia Cafe, 7:30-8:30 a.m. http://www.bellingrath.org/ — Flora-Bama Lounge, Orange Beach/Perdido Key, April 20, 11 a.m., Worship on the Water. http://www.florabama.com — Gulf State Park beach pavilion, Gulf Shores, April 20, 6:30 a.m., Easter sunrise service. https://www.alapark.com/gulfstate/ — The Hangout, Gulf Shores, April 20, 6:30 a.m., Easter sunrise service, followed by an all-you-can eat breakfast buffet. An egg hunt for the kids begins at 11 a.m. http://www.thehangout.com — LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores, April 20, 2 p.m. Easter egg hunts, arts and crafts, visit from the Easter Bunny. http://lulubuffett.com Panama City Beach — Frank Brown Park, April 19, 10 a.m., Easter egg hunt, hosted by the City of Panama City Beach. www.visitpanamacitybeach.com — Pier Park, April 19, noon. Easter Egg Scramble, featuring more than 7,000 eggs filled with sweet treats and other fun surprises, arts and crafts, and more. http://www.pcbeach.org/events/events-community.php Southwest Florida — Siesta Key 14th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Games, April 19, 9-11:30 a.m. Each child gets a goody bag stuffed with prizes and an Easter stuffed animal. http://www.siestakeychamber.com/event_calendar — Manatee Public Beach, Anna Maria Island, Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island’s 50th Annual Easter Sunrise Service, April 20, 6:30 a.m. Attendees should bring their own blankets and chairs. The Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe will open at 6 a.m. for breakfast. The island trolley will also start running at 6 a.m. — Sanibel Island, G Dock, Port Sanibel Marina, Easter Egg Hunt and Dolphin Cruise “Island Style,” April 20, 10-11:30 a.m. Join the Easter Bunny for a cruise of San Carlos Bay to Picnic Island for an Easter egg hunt. And maybe see some dolphins on the way! http://www.adventureinparadiseinc.com For places to stay while you’re enjoying Easter on the coast, check out our links at www.beachguide.com.

Published on Tuesday, April 15, 2014