If your vacation getaway happens to fall during the Easter season, there’s a lot to do to make sure the kids still get to enjoy all of your fun traditions. From egg hunts, to photos with the Easter bunny and more, you’ll find something fun for the whole family to participate in. To make it easier, we’ve put together a list of great options that are close by to the numerous beachside vacation homes on Anna Maria Island.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
If there’s one thing children love about the Easter season, it’s combing through the grass and seeking out hiding spots where colorful eggs are waiting to be found. Anna Maria Island hosts an annual Easter egg hunt for this very reason. It’s fit for all ages, so the entire family can come along and have a good time.
Hosted by the Sandbar Restaurant, this event takes place at 100 Spring Avenue at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday March 31st. Bring a basket along with you and get ready to collect all the eggs you can get your hands on.
Continue the fun as the Easter bunny himself leads a small parade down nearby Pine Avenue. Here you’ll find even more Easter activities to fill out your day. Before you leave don’t forget to get your picture taken with the Easter bunny to remember this fun event.
Egg Roll and Bonnet Contest
This is just one of the great activities you’ll find on Pine Avenue following the egg hunt and parade on March 31st. Get your face painted, enjoy the egg roll, and vote for who has the best bonnet in town.
There is a bonnet contest both for children and adults, so make sure to have something festive on your head for this fun event. There are prizes for winners in both age groups—dinner at the Sandbar for 4 for the kids winner, and a 2 night stay at the Anna Maria Guest House on Pine Avenue for the adult winner. The Easter egg roll goes from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and the bonnet contest happens at 10:30 a.m.
Sunrise Service
One of the best Easter traditions on Anna Maria Island is the Easter Sunrise Service at Manatee County Beach, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. You’ll have to wake the kids up early for this event which traditionally starts at 6:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday (April 1st). It might not be easy at first, but it is definitely worth it, and its popularity grows each year.
All 6 of the island’s churches participate in the event, and trolleys start running to get you there at 6 a.m. Stop in the Anna Maria Beach Café (4000 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217) to grab a morning snack and some coffee and snacks.
Also make sure to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on, and dress for the weather with the potential for a nice morning wind from the water. Music will accompany the service on the beach starting your Easter off in a special way the kids will appreciate and remember to love.
There are always tons of great Easter related Anna Maria Island events you can participate in. The ones we’ve listed above, along with a few other Easter egg hunts in nearby areas, will be sure to fill your holiday with a lot of fun.
If you have any trouble at all finding something that you think will be fun for the whole family, we can help you find the perfect event that you are looking for.
Spring is a pleasant time of year on Florida’s gulf coast, especially when you’re spending it in one of our impressive vacation homes on Anna Maria Island.
Our staff is friendly and knowledgeable so don’t be afraid to reach out if you aren’t finding exactly what you’re looking for. Call us toll-free anytime at 800-737-9855.
