East County to offer plenty of Easter fun

MANATEE COUNTY — For the past three months, thousands of brightly colored Easter eggs have been piling up inside the walls of Bayside Community Church — some 40,000 to be exact.

And in a matter of days, those Easter eggs will be divided up and transported to the Lakewood Ranch High baseball fields and Bradenton Christian School for the church’s annual Eggolution Easter Egg Hunt.

The event, which is one of the largest Easter egg hunt’s in Manatee County, will be held simultaneously from 10 a.m. to noon March 31, at both locations.

In addition to the massive hunt, children of all ages will enjoy inflatable games and bounce castles, a rock-climbing wall and a visit from the Easter Bunny, among other activities.

“It’s an event the whole community is invited to, and it’s all free,” Bayside Missions and Outreach Pastor Guy Breading said. “I enjoy seeing all of the families coming out and having fun together. I hope the children take away great memories of a fun day and lots of candy.”

Bayside’s Eggolution is just one of many Easter Egg Hunts taking place across the East County during the next two weeks.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].

EASTER EVENTS

Bayside Community Church Eggolution Easter Egg Hunt
WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon March 31
WHERE: 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. and 3304 43rd St. W.
WHEN: This 40,000-egg Easter egg hunt will have field will take place simultaneously at the Lakewood Ranch High ball fields and Bradenton Christian School. Other activities include inflatable games, bounce castles, a rock-climbing wall and a special visit from the Easter Bunny and more.

Braden River United Methodist Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to noon March 31
WHERE: 5858 44th Ave. E., Bradenton
DETAILS: All toddles and children up to fifth grade are welcome. Activities include games, Easter eggs, candy and fun.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corporation Eggstravaganza
WHEN: 9:30-11:30 a.m. March 31
WHERE: Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13400 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch
DETAILS: Children ages 2 to 13 will enjoy hunting for thousands of candy-filled eggs. Other activities include face painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny, petting zoo, music, a pony carousel, refreshments and more.

Lakewood Ranch Easter Egg Hunt
WHEN: April 7
WHERE: Main Street in Lakewood Ranch
DETAILS: Children will enjoy an Easter egg hunt, face painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny, a kids chalk festival, balloons, arts and crafts, prizes and more.

Harvest United Methodist Church Easter Egg Hunt
WHEN: 10 a.m. April 7
WHERE: Harvest United Methodist Church, 14305 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch
DETAILS: The lawn at Harvest United Methodist Church will be covered with 10,000 colorful eggs filled with candy and other treats. Other activities include: games, crafts, cookie decorating, face painting and more.

Risen Savior Lutheran Church Easter for Kids
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31
WHERE: 14605 59th Ave. E., Lakewood Ranch
DETAILS: Children ages 3-11 are invited to this Easter party, which includes Bible stories, songs, games, snacks and crafts.

The Tabernacle Church Easter Egg Hunt
WHEN: 10 a.m. April 1
WHERE: Behind the Family Life Center, 4141 DeSoto Road, Sarasota
DETAILS: Thousands of eggs will be available for children ages 1 through 12.

Woodland, The Community Church 2012 Egg Drop
WHEN: 9 a.m. March 31
WHERE: Buffalo Creek Park, 7550 69th St. E., Parrish
DETAILS: A helicopter will drop 5,000 Easter Eggs in four fields that will be marked according to age. Children will hunt for eggs and then exchange their eggs for candy. Other activities include games, bounce houses, train rides, live music, food and more.