Good Friday at Payne Park takes celebration to the skies

At a time when many expect to simply look amid the grass for Easter eggs, guests at Good Friday in Payne Park were also gazing up at the skies. 

Held by First Sarasota - The Downtown Baptist Church on the March 29, the event featured an egg hunt in which candy-filled eggs were dropped from a helicopter, followed by a high-wire performance by Sarasota's Nik Wallenda, an 11-time Guinness World Record holder.

Other entertainment on offer included circus entertainers, free food, inflatables and face painting.

"I've performed in some amazing places as many of you know," Wallenda said as he introduced himself to the crowd, calling Sarasota "hands-down" his favorite location to perform.

As Wallenda walked across the high wire, he shared a recording he had created offering his thoughts on hope and inspiration, a message Pastor John Cross also said he intended to offer through the event. 

"It was an honor for our church to step outside the walls in our community and share the message of hope that's found in Jesus in a very unique way at Easter, because he showed us how much he loved us on the cross and of course, three days later he rose," he said.

The turnout exceeded expectations, he said, stating that thousands were in attendance.