Family-Friendly Fun: Holiday events to feature egg hunts, Easter Bunny visits and more
With Easter around the corner, weekend activities will offer island families a hoppin’ good time.
On March 31, the Island Inn on Sanibel will host its 7th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza. In addition, Adventures in Paradise is reserving seats on its Easter Egg Hunt and Dolphin Cruises for April 1.
Free and open to the public, the Easter Eggstravaganza will feature an egg hunt and visit from the Easter Bunny, along with face painting, balloon animals, pony rides, a mollusk touch tank and more.
It will take place from 1 to 3 p.m., with the indoor activities inside Traditions on the Beach.
“The Island Inn has hosted Easter festivities for families since it was established in 1895 and we look forward to continuing this increasingly popular tradition,” Chris Davison, general manager for the Island Inn, said. “We’re always eager to find new ways to partner with other island organizations and give back to our local community.”
Last year’s event drew in more than 200 children, with over 300 attendees in total.
The Easter egg hunt, which is open to ages 12 and under, will start at 1:15 p.m.
“We will hide 3,000 eggs on the Island Inn property,” Taryn Manning, an account executive with Hillgate Marketing Services, said. “There’s candy (inside of them) and some may have toys.”
“There’ll be 10 golden eggs they can find,” she added.
The finders of the golden eggs can redeem them for a special prize.
“Last year, we did $20 for each one,” Manning said.
Following the egg hunt, the Easter Bunny will make an appearance.
“He’ll have a little spot set up, where families can come and take their photo with him,” she said, adding that families should bring a camera or cell phone to take their own pictures.
Separately, a green screen photo booth will be set up.
“They can get their photos taken,” Manning said, noting that families will receive a 4-by-6 photo to take home. “It’s Easter themed with a beach background – and props.”
There will be face painting and ballon animals for the children.
“We have the miniature ponies that will be outside for the kids to ride,” she said. “They had two ponies last year.”
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will have its Live Mollusk Touch Tanks on site. Part of the Mollusks on the Move exhibit, the interactive experience helps to teach about the importance of observing the natural world, mollusk feeding habits, and marine conservation and protection.
“Since Sanibel is a big shelling destination, it’s great to teach the children about the living mollusks, their environment and where they came from before you pick them up on the beach,” Manning said.
Part of the Wildlife Education Project, Trouper the Blind Raccoon and his wildlife rehabilitator, Dorothy “Dot” Lee, will also be on hand. Trouper, who will be celebrating his birthday, is a wildlife ambassador in the community and helps children to learn to respect wildlife and all living things.
“Children can sign a card, sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and enjoy a cupcake to celebrate,” she said.
For the adults, the master mixologists at Traditions on the Beach will serve up mimosas and other refreshments in the bar and lounge. Coolers of water will be placed around the grounds, as well.
EASTER EGG HUNT, DOLPHIN CRUISES
For several years now, Adventures in Paradise has offered its special Easter cruises.
“We just felt there was a need to do something on a boat for Easter, so we decided to take the kids out to a deserted island and have the Easter Bunny and a hunt for eggs,” co-owner Evelyn Stewart said.
“We continue doing it because it’s been extremely successful,” she added.
This year’s Easter Egg Hunt and Dolphin Cruises are set for 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. According to Stewart, the 10 a.m. cruise is booked full, but the other time slots still have openings available.
“They should get their reservations in ASAP,” she said. “We sell out every year.”
The cost is $45 for adults and $35 for children ages 11 and under.
“Once they’re on the vessel, we have bunny assistants,” Stewart said, adding that Easter pails are provided for free. “They give out the little buckets to all the kids and plays games with them.”
Cruising along the San Carlos Bay, everyone keeps an eye out for dolphins.
“We’re looking for dolphins as we go out and as we come in,” she said.
The boat will stop on Picnic Island, where the Easter Bunny will greet the families.
Each cruise will have 1,000 eggs set aside for the children to find.
“We actually hide a total of 4,000 eggs,” Stewart said. “Each little egg has a prize or toy.”
Families can have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny before departing.
“There is picture time with the Easter Bunny,” she said.
“Most of the families dress kind of Easter-ly,” Stewart added.
The entire trip takes less than two hours.
“It’s certainly a different way to do an Easter egg hunt,” she said. “Not only are you getting an Easter egg hunt, but you’re getting out on the water – that’s the huge attraction.”
Complimentary bottled water is available.
Both Manning and Stewart encouraged the community to check the events out.
“Be a part of this wonderful island tradition and join in the festivities, while creating memories that will last a lifetime,” Manning said.
“Just come out and have a really fun time,” Stewart said.
The Easter Egg Hunt and Dolphin Cruise departs from the Port Sanibel Marina in Fort Myers.
For more information or reservations, visit www.adventureinparadiseinc.com or call 239-472-8443.
For more on the Easter Eggstravaganza, contact the Island Inn at 239-472-1561.
The Island Inn is at 3111 West Gulf Drive.
The Port Sanibel Marina is at 14341 Port Comfort Road.