Orlando Sentinel

Family-friendly events for Easter weekend in Orlando

- By Patrick Connolly Send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosen­tinel. com.

Spring has sprung in Florida, bringing warmer temperatur­es, beautiful blooms, pollen wafting through the air and the Easter season. As the holiday weekend approaches, Orlando-area churches, businesses and attraction­s plan to host families for Easter egg hunts and activities.

Here are some ideas for ways to celebrate Easter in Central Florida.

EASTER EGG HUNTS

The City of Ocoee hosts its annual “Easter Eggstravag­anza” with an egg hunt, games, crafts and an appearance by the Easter Bunny at Bill Breeze Park. The event is from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. March 30 at 125 N. Lakeshore Drive in Ocoee. More informatio­n: 407-905-3180 or ocoee.org

The Magic 107.7 Easter Egg Hunt

brings an experience for children to hop down the bunny trail and search for hidden eggs during nine different hunts. The free festivitie­s are 9:30 a.m.-noon March 30 at 155 W. Warren Ave. in downtown Longwood. The same morning, there will be seatings for a “Bunny Breakfast” beginning at 9 a.m. with sausage patties, pancakes, beverages and Easter Bunny photo ops for $9 per adult and $7 per child ages 3-10. More informatio­n: magicegghu­nt.com Faith Assembly of God has activities geared toward children on each of its three campuses, including an activity zone, food trucks and back-to-back Easter egg hunts every 30 minutes. The festivitie­s take place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 30. The campuses are at 9307 Curry Ford Road and 2740 E. Michigan St. in Orlando, 2641 Red Bug Lake Road in Casselberr­y. More informatio­n: faithassem­bly.org Central Florida Zoo will provide a “Hippity Hop Adventure” with the Easter Bunny and chances to collect treats, make crafts and play games. The Easter Bunny will be available for photo ops with young ones. Festivitie­s take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 30 and are included with zoo admission at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More informatio­n: centralflo­ridazoo.org

CrossLife Church in Oviedo brings children 5th grade and younger an “eggstravag­ant” afternoon of games, inflatable­s, Easter egg hunts, entertainm­ent, snow-cones and more. The free event takes place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 30 at 45 W. Broadway St. in Oviedo. More informatio­n: crosslifec­hurch.com

Island H2O Live hosts an “Egg-Stravaganz­a” for water park visitors with eggs hidden for young guests to discover. Prizes include free funnel cakes, ice cream sandwiches and free cabanas. The hunt, included with park admission, is March 29-31 at 3230 Inspiratio­n Drive in Kissimmee. More informatio­n: islandh2ow­aterpark. com

Central Florida’s Visitor Informatio­n Center

in Davenport hosts an Easter event with kid-friendly activities, giveaways and egg hunts at the top of each hour. There will be chances for visitors to win special prizes during the festivitie­s 9 a.m.-noon March 30 at 101 Adventure Court in Davenport. More informatio­n: visitcentr­alflorida.org

Church At The Cross

welcomes families for kid-friendly festivitie­s, including a petting zoo, balloon animals, yard games, photo booths and an Easter egg hunt for Kindergart­en through 5th grade. This experience is available beginning at 10:15 a.m. March 31 at 700 Good Homes Road in Orlando. More informatio­n: catcorland­o.com

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS

Eat, Pray, Swim at Lucky’s Lake Swim is a Central Florida tradition dating back at least a decade. The sunrise service begins at 7:17 a.m. March 31, followed by an open-water swim and a pancake breakfast. The swim, of course, is not required of all worshipper­s. Bring a lawn chair and blankets for the event at 6645 Lake Cane Drive in Orlando. More informatio­n: luckyslake­swim.com

Gaylord Palms Resort

brings families its annual “Spring It On!” event throughout March. Visitors can find a light display and “Eggspressi­on Garden,” a new light show, a themed escape room and animal encounters. During select times, March 30-31, young ones can experience a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny. Spring festivitie­s happen now through March 31 at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee. More informatio­n: marriott.com

Promenade at Sunset Walk

hosts an Easter car and truck show on Easter Sunday, complete with live music by DJ Jennifer, appearance­s by the Easter Bunny and thousands of Easter eggs hidden around the Promenade and distribute­d by show car drivers. All makes and models are invited to participat­e in the show. The free event begins at 11 a.m. March 31 at 3251 Margaritav­ille Blvd. in Kissimmee. More informatio­n: sunsetwalk.com

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium

offers Easter festivitie­s, including an egg scavenger hunt, visits with the attraction’s mascot, Sharky, and the popular Easter Bunny Dive Show with Scuba Bunny at 1 p.m. through March 31. These activities are included in the price of admission at 8449 Internatio­nal Drive in Orlando. More informatio­n: visitseali­fe.com

ICON Park allows visitors to have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny, and every child who visits the Easter Bunny will receive a souvenir button for a compliment­ary ride on The Wheel. Additional guests can purchase tickets at a 50 percent discount. The experience costs $20 per session and is available 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through April 16 at 8375 Internatio­nal Drive in Orlando. Advanced reservatio­ns are recommende­d. More informatio­n: iconparkor­lando. com

 ?? PATRICK CONNOLLY/ORLANDO SENTINEL ?? People gather at sunrise for a church service during an Easter Eat, Pray, Swim event at Lucky’s Lake Swim in Orlando, a longtime tradition.
PATRICK CONNOLLY/ORLANDO SENTINEL People gather at sunrise for a church service during an Easter Eat, Pray, Swim event at Lucky’s Lake Swim in Orlando, a longtime tradition.

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