- July 26, 2024
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ChuckO meets Waylon Wilson, 4.
Photo by Ian SwabyLennon Walen, 3, eagerly awaits the arrival of the helicopter.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Easter Bunny makes the rounds prior to the egg drop.
Photo by Ian SwabyEggs rain down over the field.
Photo by Ian SwabyJ-P the Clown, Heloisa Camara, 9, Dora Yu, 7, and Gabriella Pan, 4 and ChuckO
Photo by Ian SwabyLevi Morris, 11, Kristin Morris and Silas Morris, 9 watch Nik Wallenda walk the tightrope.
Photo by Ian SwabyNik Wallenda makes a pause on the high-wire.
Photo by Ian SwabyAudri Wallin, 12, Sierra Mullin, 8 and Alalia Mark watch Nik Wallenda walk the tightrope.
Photo by Ian SwabyHalo Izear, 8 and her bird Blueberry, Abriana Navarro, 6, Nora Miller, 8 and Nyah Miller, 6
Photo by Ian SwabySunny Breeze and Gina Zazza
Photo by Ian SwabyCourtney West and Walter Godfrey of First Sarasota were among those who provided live music at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyMichele Walsh, Hannah Tennyson, 9, Justin Tennyson, Brielle Tennyson, 5, Adelaide Tennyson, 8 and Katie Tennyson
Photo by Ian SwabyAt 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.