Easter Bunny hops by the Sand Cay Beach Resort

Staying at the Sand Cay Beach Resort the week before Easter comes with some egg-cellent perks. When else will a towering inflatable slide block a gulf view on Longboat Key?

About 60 kids, from toddlers to teenagers, signed up for the annual egg hunt on April 7. The Easter Bunny led the kids from the pool to the courtyard, where eggs were scattered across the lawn and two giant inflatables stood on either side. 

“We’ve had parents that used to bring their kids. Now, those kids bring their kids, and then some of those kids bring their kids,” General Manager Lyn Sorensen said. “That’s how long — we’re into the fifth generation at least.” 

Teenagers walk into the office to say they’ve been coming to the Easter party since they were babies. 

The Pearce family had three generations in attendance. The spring break stars aligned this year, so 17 family members traveled from Detroit, Seattle and Chicago to stay at the Sand Cay together.   

“We grew up coming to Longboat Key as kids, so now we brought my dad, all his kids, and we brought all of the grandkids, so they can start this tradition,” Kate Pearce said. 

The kids crisscrossed the courtyard grabbing eggs to fill their baskets and buckets, but only four could find a golden egg. This year’s lucky finders were Ben Weber, Kiera Bourke, Alaina Conrow and Kelly Olson. They got first pick from the line of Easter baskets. 

The staff made sure all age groups were represented, and more baskets than children lined the outside of the office wall. 

“They’ll all be gone in the next day or two because we’ll have some people check in today, and we’ll give them a basket, too,” Sorensen said.