Hoppy Happenings

Easter egg hunts are some of the fastest-paced activities during this time of year, so when heading out to participate, remember this: Don’t be late. Once the whistle blows, the children become a blur as they scramble to find the golden eggs.

There are plenty of egg hunts to go to this weekend, and here are some of them.

WINTER GARDEN

The Winter Garden Lions Club’s annual Easter egg hunt will be held promptly at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Newton Park, 29 W. Garden Ave., Winter Garden.

Children up to age 12 will have the opportunity to search for thousands of eggs filled with candy hidden throughout the park at the free event. The Winter Garden police and fire departments will take their vehicles to the event, and there will be activities sponsored by local churches. A special-needs area will also be available for children to search for eggs.

Participants are advised to arrive at the event by 12:45 p.m. to find ample parking. For more information, contact Linda Lucero at [email protected].

OCOEE

The city of Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department will host its Annual Easter Eggstravaganza from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, at the Jim Beech Recreation Center, 1820 A.D. Mims Road. Admission is free.

Children 12 years old and younger are invited to scoop up 14,000 colorful Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes. Fun activities will include a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts, face painting, food and inflatables. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to take non-perishable food items that will be donated to the West Orange Christian Service Center.

In conjunction with the Easter Eggstravaganza, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is sponsoring a coloring contest for children ages 12 and younger. Prizes will be awarded in every age group. Pictures may be decorated with crayons, markers, paint or pencils only (no additional decorations, such as cotton balls or glitter). Judges encourage children to use their creativity. Coloring sheets may be picked up at the Jim Beech Recreation Center. The deadline to submit coloring sheets is March 30 at 6 p.m.

For more information, contact the Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department at (407) 905-3180 or ocoee.org.

OAKLAND

The town of Oakland is holding its first Easter Egg-citing Hunt from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4. It will take place at the Oakland Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington St.

The event will include an egg hunt for children (toddlers through 12-year-olds), crafts, face painting, a bounce house and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.

For more information, call the town of Oakland at 407-656-1117.

WINDERMERE

Join Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn and Police Chief David Ogden on Saturday, April 4, as they lead the annual Easter Bonnet Parade from Pocket Park to Windermere Town Hall. The parade starts at 10 a.m., and then an egg hunt will follow for children in different age groups. Each group will have one special-egg winner.

After the hunt, light refreshments will be served. Residents who would like to take refreshments are asked to contact Jacquelyn Hefeli at Town Hall, (407) 876-2563, Ext. 5321, or [email protected].

STARKE LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH

Find the golden egg at Starke Lake Baptist Church’s Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4. Children will be divided into age groups, from toddlers to fifth-graders. The free event includes food, crafts, bounce houses and games, and participants can have their photo take with the Easter Bunny.

The church is at 611 West Ave., Ocoee. For more information, call (407) 656-2351 or email [email protected].

WEST ORLANDO BAPTIST CHURCH

A children’s program and an Easter egg hunt will be offered during the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. worship services Sunday, April 5, at West Orlando Baptist Church, 1006 E. Crown Point Road, Ocoee. For more information, call the church at (407) 905-9508 or visit westorlandobaptistchurch.com.

OCOEE CHURCH OF GOD

A family day and Easter egg hunt is planned for 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Ocoee Church of God, 1105 N. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee. Children ages 2-11 are invited to participate in the age-divided hunt for 1,500 Easter eggs. There are prize eggs and an award for the child who finds the most eggs.

For more details, call the church at (407) 656-8011.

FAITH FAMILY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Families are invited to Faith Family Community Church’s second EggStravaganza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4. Children up to age 11 are invited to participate in the free event, which will have inflatables, games, food and a 12:30 p.m. egg hunt.

The church is at 305 Beulah Road, Winter Garden. For more information, call (407) 877-7735.

NEW HORIZONS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

An Easter celebration for families will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the church, 1330 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden. The event is free and will include lunch, an egg hunt, games and inflatables.

For more information, call (407) 654-5050 or go to NewHorizonsCC.org.

OAKLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

An Easter egg hunt is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at the Christian Life Center of Oakland Presbyterian Church. The free event will include faith-based games, as well. The church is at 218 E. Oakland Ave., Oakland.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WINDERMERE

An Easter Eggstravaganza is taking place at 5 p.m. Friday, April 3, at First Baptist Church Windermere’s Lakeside Campus. The children’s ministry is offering activities for children in preschool through sixth grade, including games, inflatables and an Easter egg hunt at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks will be on-site, too.

The Lakeside Campus is at 8464 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Orlando.

OASIS COMMUNITY CHURCH

The Winter Garden church is planning a sunrise service at 7 a.m., breakfast at 8, regular service at 11 and an Easter egg hunt at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 5. A community blood drive takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To schedule an appointment to donate, visit oneblooddonor.org/index.cfm?group=op&step=2&opid =666554.

Oasis is at 607 Avalon Road, Winter Garden.