LOCAL
Leesburg Daily Commercial
If you celebrate Easter as a religious holiday or enjoy its pagan Easter egg traditions, there's something for you and your family in the lead-up to Easter Sunday, April 20.
Eustis' Easter egg hunt
The Eustis Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a free Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 18, in Ferran Park. Ages 17 and younger are welcome to take part in the festivities. Details: 352-357-7969.
Tavares' Egg-venture and Scavenger Hunt
An ongoing egg hunt and scavenger hunt will take place in Ame?rica's Seaplane City. Visit the City of Tavares Facebook page to learn more about how you can collect eggs throughout town, and one to two clues will be posted daily on the city's rec page. Finders of eggs will be announced on Facebook once the Recreation Department is notified.
Once an egg is found, participants will discover instructions inside it including directions to notify the department and collect a prize. Prizes will include craft supplies, sports gear, toys, gift cards and more.
All ages are welcome to participate. One egg per family for more information [email protected] or call 352-742-6477.
Sunsational Farms' Easter market and egg drop, Umatilla
Find your way to Umatilla's giant orange and its adjacent scenic farm for a day of springtime fun coinciding with Sunsational Farms' third annual Easter Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Browse 60-plus unique small businesses offering everything from handcrafted goods to seasonal treats. It's a great spot for Easter basket-fillers or sprucing up your home.
An Egg Drop Challenge features prizes for all ages (check the farm's website for ages and times). Enjoy eats from a variety of food trucks, and take pics with the Easter Bunny and at a real-life petting zoo before jumping in bounce houses and a monster truck experience. Admission and parking are free. The farm is located at 40541 Roger Giles Road, Umatilla. Details: [email protected].
Easter fun at Lake Square Mall, Leesburg
Hunt for eggs and browse more than 30 craft vendors and small businesses at Lake Square Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Snap a pic with the Easter bunny or grab some gifts from the vendors to fill your kids' baskets. Events on the mall's Facebook page, facebook.com/TheNewLakeSquareMall
Welcome Home Christian Church festivities, Leesburg
Welcome Home Christian Church hosts its annual free Easter Egg Hunt Party from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. There will be bounce houses, face painting, games, snow cones, popcorn, a hot dog lunch, lots of candy and, of course, an egg hunt. It all happens at 335 Tomato Hill Road, Leesburg. The church also hosts a sunrise service on Easter Sunday. Details: welcomehomechristian.com.
Lady Lake's annual Easter Eggstravaganza
The town of Lady Lake is gearing up for "an egg-citing Easter Eggstravaganza" presented by the Town of Lady Lake, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Lady Lake from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at Snooky Park, 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd.
They're promising "a hopping good time" by hiding a whopping 13,000 Easter eggs for the little ones to find. They've also got bounce houses, food trucks such as Weirsdale Weinery, Kona Ice and Lil Fatz BBQ, beats by a DJ and plenty of activities for the whole family.
Kids can get photos with the Easter bunny. Text “LLEaster25” to 38276 for event updates and be sure to follow the Town of Lady Lake on Facebook.
Bushnell Bunny Bash
Bushnell will present its free Bunny Bash from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, to celebrate the Easter season. In addition to an Easter egg hunt, Bushnell Methodist Church will feature animal balloon creator/Pastor Joyce Dunne. Joyce and her team provide free balloon animals to children in attendance at the Marge A. Thies Plaza Park, 117 E. Joe P. Strickland Jr. Ave. Call 352-303-0382 or email [email protected] for details.
Faith-based 'Easter Egg Eggsplosion' in Mount Dora
Join Real Life Christian Church for Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. followed by fun family activities and an exciting Easter Eggsplosion Egg Hunt capping it all off at 1 p.m.
Features age-based egg hunts for children ages 1 through 6th grade, a petting zoo with friendly animals, bounce houses, sensory games and food available for purchase. Takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 31205 Round Lake Rd, Mount Dora. Details: real.life/easter
Springtime fun at Cannon Farms
Head to Dunnellon for a variety of fun at Cannon Farms. Activities include a fun-filled Easter Egg Hunt, a delicious Watermelon Festival, an elegant dinner and dancing evening, a car show, a field day and more. The Easter fun takes place Sunday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 11801 SW 180th Ave., Dunnellon. Visit cannonfarms.net, for details.
Amber Brooke Farms Easter Celebration
Hop into spring with Amber Brooke Farms on Saturday, April 19, for their Easter Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. Food trucks: Grumpys Homemade Ice Cream, Donuts and Real Espresso, Smoke in the City, Stuffed Surfer, El Cubanito Subs and Empanadas R Us.
Live music by Henry Hood String Band from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features photos with the Easter bunny, egg hunts, an egg-juggling contest, blueberry and zinnia picking, face painting, a candy cannon, a foam cannon and a slew of amusements. Tickets for children are $14.95 online and $16.95 at the gate. Free for children 2 and younger. The farm is located at 36111 N County Road 44A, Eustis. Details: amberbrookefarms.com
Mount Dora Easter Egg Hunt
All ages are welcome for egg hunts organized by age, photos with the Easter Bunny and more. Mount Dora Fire Department Free hosts its book giveaway for children. Old-fashioned Easter egg hunt & treats will be on hand. Overflow parking at Church of Christ. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Kiwanis Club of Mount Dora & The GFWC Mount Dora Woman’s Club. It all happens from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 19, at W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St. 352-735-7180.
Four Corners Easter Event & Kid Business Fair
Stop by for fun for the whole family at the Four Corners Spring Festival & Kids Business Fair on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the Cagan Crossings Community Library, 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont. Take the kids to snap a pic with the Easter Bunny, shop in the Kids Business Fair, pet critters, take a horse ride or jump in a bounce house, play games and more. Details: cagancrossings.com/four-corners-spring-festival
Groveland Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt
In Groveland, the hunt is on for kids in different age groups at Cherry Lake Park, 131 Wilson Lake Parkway, and there's fun for all ages with crafters showing off their decor and wares, food and beverage vendors. Get a photo taken with the Easter Bunny, rock out to tunes spun by a DJ and romp around a Kids Zone. The fun happens from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. Kids up to age 2 hunt for eggs at 11 a.m.; 3-5 at 11:20; 6-8 at 11:40, and ages 9 and up at noon. Details: groveland-fl.gov/35/Events-and-Programs
Lil’ Bit of Life’s Egg-Stravaganza in Mount Dora
The Easter Bunny joins the adorable critters at Lil' Bit of Life Farm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, when a unique Easter adventure offers fun for kids and their parents —farm style. On arrival, attendees receive a riddle-filled map to guide them on an Easter egg hunt, and parents can keep an eye out for golden eggs with special prizes. Photo ops with the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. plus spring-themed portraits.
Amusements include pony and barrel train rides, and cotton candy will be available. The farm is located at 2920 Robie Ave, Mount Dora. Get $25 in Barn Buks for $20 when you purchase tickets in advance at https://form.jotform.com/250793548891068
Easter Bunny and 3,000+ eggs in Mascotte
Bring the family to the American Legion Post 239 in Mascotte on Saturday, April 19, from 1 to 5 p.m., to search for 3,300 hidden (and not-so-hidden) eggs. There'll be three Easter egg hunt age groups plus an ax throw for kids, horseshoes, a baseball throw, a duck pond and duck throw, a two-lane obstacle course and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Eighteen vendors will be on hand to keep everyone fed and help local merchants. Expect live music and more. The Legion is located at 307 American Legion Road, Mascotte. Details: [email protected]
Brown & Brown Farms Wildflower Festival
Enjoy Southern old-fashioned springtime fun at Brown & Brown Farms Wildflower Festival. Stroll through wildflower fields from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20 and April 26-27. On Sunday, April 20, kids can be amazed by the helicopter drop of 20,000 filled Easter eggs. Brown & Brown Farms is located at 13940 N US 301, Oxford. Tickets: $15. Details at AllEvents.in
Mission Resort's Easter Grand Brunch Buffet
The Mission Resort and Club's Easter Grand Brunch Buffet is an annual tradition in Lake County and brings the glorious gluttony again on Easter Sunday, April 20. The feast at La Hacienda Restaurant takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it claims to be the biggest Easter buffet in Central Florida. The event will also feature live entertainment and "an endless flow" of champagne for guests 21 and older. Reservations are required. The resort is located at 10400 County Road 48, Howey-in-the-Hills. Details: missionresortandclub.com