Easter Archives - Island Real Blog

Local Easter Events & Church Services

If your vacation overlaps Easter Sunday this year, or this is your first Easter being an Anna Maria Island resident, no worries! There are plenty of local Easter events on and off the island to get yourself and the kiddos out of the house and in the holiday spirit. Whether it’s a church service, or some Easter Bunny fun, there is something to do for everyone.

Easter Egg Hunts:

A classic Easter tradition, and certainly the kids favorite, is of course the Easter egg hunt! Luckily one of the best local egg hunts for children 10 and under takes place right here on Anna Maria Island the Saturday before Easter, thanks to the Sandbar Restaurant. The Annual Sandbar Egg Hunt is a favorite for everyone involved and is probably the most well-known activity taking place on the island for Easter year after year. After the egg hunt fun, there is typically a parade right after lead by the Easter Bunny himself down Pine Avenue.
Where: Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216
When: The Saturday before Easter Sunday
Time: Event typically begins at 9am
Who: Children 10 and under

Maybe you’ve already done the Easter egg hunt at the Sandbar, and want to check out a different one this year. Well if that’s the case, we highly suggest checking out the Community Easter Egg Hunt held every year at GT Bray Park in Bradenton. Kids get the chance to meet the Easter Bunny and fill their baskets with plastic eggs, which are later turned in for candy. They usually offer other activities like bounce houses, face painting, and more! This is a super fun event and draws thousands of families every year.
Where: 5502 33rd Ave Dr W, Bradenton, FL 34209

When: This event varies every year. It has been done the Sunday before Easter, the Saturday before Easter, and Easter Sunday in previous years. Double check the date for the event for the year you’ll be attending.
Time: Usually 2:30 pm to 4pm

Easter Worship Services:

Anna Maria Island offers a multitude of Easter services for you to choose from, Including a Easter Sunday sunrise service on the beach!

Kiwanis Club’s 49th Annual Sunset Service on the Beach:
Come worship on the beach Easter Sunday.
Where: Manatee County Public Beach.
When: Easter Sunday
Time: Typically 6:30am

CrossPointe Fellowship (Baptist Church)
CrossPointe offers a service on Good Friday, and a Easter Sunday service.
Where: 8605 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
When: Good Friday AND Easter Sunday
Time: 7pm Friday / 10:30am Sunday

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation
The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation offers a service on Maundy Thursday which includes foot washing, stripping of the altar and the vigil in the garden. They also have services on Good Friday, and three Easter Sunday.
Where: 4408 Gulf Dr, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
When: Thursday, Friday, AND Sunday
Time: 7pm Thursday / noon Friday / 7:30am, 9am, AND 11am Sunday

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church offers services Maundy Thursday, two on Good Friday, and two Easter Sunday including a fellowship brunch in between.
Where: 6608 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
When: Thursday, Friday, AND Sunday
Time: 7pm Thursday / noon AND 7pm Friday / 8am service, 9am brunch, 10:30am service

Harvey Memorial Community Church
Harvey Memorial Community Church will be holding their regular Easter Sunday service.
Where: 300 Church St N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
When: Sunday only
Time: 9:30am

Roser Memorial Community Church
Roser Memorial Community Church offers services the Thursday before Easter in celebration of the Last Supper, Good Friday, and two services Easter Sunday.
Where: 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216
When: Thursday, Friday, AND Sunday
Time: 7pm Thursday / noon Friday / 9am and 11am Sunday

St. Bernard’s Catholic Church
St. Bernard’s Catholic Church will be holding a mass on Palm Sunday, Holy Week mass the following Wednesday, Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper Thursday. There will be no morning Mass on Good Friday, but there will be a Blessing of Easter Baskets at 10 a.m. and an Easter Vigil Mass at 8 p.m. On Easter Sunday, there will be Masses at 8am and two masses at 10am, one Mass in the church and one in the Parish Hall. Kids will be able to hunt for Easter eggs after the 10am Masses.
Where: 248 S Harbor Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
When: Palm Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, AND Sunday
Time: Usually 8am and 10am Palm Sunday / 8:30am Wednesday / 7pm Thursday / 9:45pm Friday / 8am and 10am Sunday

No matter where you are, near or far, have a wonderful Easter from everyone at Island Real Estate

29th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Sandbar Restaurant

Anna Maria – Join Anna Maria Island families for the 29th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Sandbar Restaurant on Saturday April 4th, where kids will search for Easter eggs in the sand and then March down Pine Ave with the Easter Bunny. The festivities start at 9am, but the Sandbar will be serving refreshments under the pavilion beginning at 8:30am, so get there early.

Following the egg hunt, the Easter Bunny will lead a walk down Pine Avenue where several more events geared towards both kids and their parents will be taking place. The Easter egg roll will begin when everyone has made the walk down Pine avenue and will end by 11am. There will also be a coloring station. At 10:30, the Easter bonnet contests will be held for both kids and adults. The first prize for adults will be a stay at one of the Anna Maria guest houses on Pine ave and the children’s first prize is lunch with four of their friends.

Sandbar Restaurant is located at 100 Spring Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216 and the phone number is 941-778-0444.

Easter 2014 Bunny fun at The Sandbar Restaurant

The day before Easter 2014 Sunday The Sandbar Restaurant will be hosting their 28th annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event is co-sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper.

Easter 2014

The Easter Bunny will be in attendance at 9 a.m. for the kids to enjoy. Refreshments will be served in the pavilion next to the restaurant starting at 8:30 a.m. The Easter egg hunt itself will start at 9 a.m.. The Easter Bunny will lead a parade down Pine Avenue. The parade will end at the Fifth Annual Easter Egg Roll and the Fourth Annual Easter Bonnet Contest.

Dara Caudill of Island Photography will provide complimentary pictures at the event, which also includes face painting, egg painting and dyeing. That will be happening all while DJ Chuck Caudill provides music and the always tasty AMI Donuts please the crowd with tasty fresh made donut bites.

2014 Easter Services on Anna Maria Island

Easter is just around the corner and there’s no shortage of Easter services and ways to celebrate it on Anna Maria Island. Whether a church service, or some Easter Bunny fun, there is something to do for everyone.

Early Easter morning everyone is invited to the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach at 6:30am for the 50th All-Denominational Easter Sunrise Service. Bring a blanket or a chair to watch and sit and take the trolley if you can!

Church Easter Services

CrossPointe Fellowship

8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 778-0719. There will be a service on Good Friday at 7 p.m. and an Easter Sunday service at 9 a.m.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation

4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 778-1638. Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday, April 14-16; Eucharist and healing at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 17; Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. includes foot washing, stripping of the altar and the vigil in the garden; the vigil in the garden continues on Friday, April 18, at 8 a.m. and there will be a Good Friday service at noon entitled Seven Last Words. On Easter Sunday, they will there will be a Eucharist Rite 1 with music at 7:30 p.m., at 9 a.m. Rite II with music, a 10:15 a.m. Easter egg hunt and an 11 a.m. Rite II with music.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6778-1813. There will be a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. on April 17, a Good Friday service at noon and 7 p.m. and on Easter, services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. plus a brunch and Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m.

Harvey Memorial Community Church

300 Church Street, Bradenton Beach, 779-1912, will hold a service on Easter at 9:30 a.m.

Roser Memorial Community Church

512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 778-0414. will celebrate Palm Sunday April 13 at 9 and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. On Maundy Thursday, April 17, there’s a celebration of the Lord’s Supper with special music by flautist, Mary Deur, at 7 p.m. Good Friday, there is a service at noon. On Easter Sunday will be services at 9 and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

St. Bernard Catholic Church

248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, 778-4769. There will be Holy Week Masses Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. and morning prayer all week at 9:15 a.m.

On Holy Thursday, April 17, there will be a Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m., an Altar of Reposition in the Chapel until 10 p.m. and a night prayer at 9:45 p.m. There will be no morning Mass on Good Friday, but there will be a Blessing of Easter Baskets at 10 a.m. and an Easter Vigil Mass at 8 p.m. On Easter Sunday, there will be Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., plus two at 10:30 a.m., one Mass in the church and one in the Parish Hall. Kids will be able to hunt for Easter eggs after the 10:30 Masses.

Church service list thanks to AMISun.com

Anna Maria Island Easter Bonnet Contest

Don’t miss you chance to be a part of the 3rd Annual Easter Bonnet Contest March 30th, 2013 on Anna Maria Island. The contest will begin at 10am in the parking lot located at 315 Pine Avenue in the City of Anna Maria. The Easter Bonnet contest will have a 1st place winner for children and a 1st place winner for the adults. 1st place winner in the adults contest will win a 2 night stay at the Anna Maria Guest House on Pine Avenue. 1st place winner in the children’s contest will win a lunch party for 4 at the Sandbar Restaurant. Check out our Easter Egg hunt information page.

For more information call 941-778-8710

Check here for this year’s Easter Worship Services Schedule.

Anna Maria Island Holiday Information

Anna Maria Island Holidays are always a little more special when you are on vacation. It also helps if you are on a beautiful island like Anna Maria. We have lots of family friendly things to do over the holidays, and lots of fun activities for the children. We overcome the no snow with a lot of Christmas activities that make up for none of the white stuff around. This is Island Real Estate’s Anna Maria Island Holiday information page. See below for details on each holiday.

St. Patrick’s Day
Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day – 4th of July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas – Holmes Beach – Parade
New Years

Island Real Estate provides restaurants open for each major holiday e Anna Maria Island Holidays very year. If you don’t find the year you plan to visit Anna Maria Island try our restaurant blog page for more information. We assemble this information each year and please feel free to contact us if you cannot find up to date information on the holiday activities this year. If you are using another vacation rental company consider Island Real Estate. We update our list of events each week for inbound guests. It’s the little things in life that make a big difference!

Anna Maria Island restaurants and shops open Easter holiday

Anna Maria Island is a great place to visit all year around. If you happen to be visiting during a holiday, finding a spot to have breakfast, lunch or dinner could be a frustrating process if you don’t know before hand what restaurants are open. Hopefully this information will help during Easter and there is a fairly good chance that if these restaurants and stores are open for Easter, they will be open for other Anna Maria Island holidays as well. Have a happy holiday and

here is to doing no dishes this year!

ANNA MARIA ISLAND RESTAURANT’S OPEN EASTER HOLIDAY

Beach Bistro – Dinner – Holmes Beach, Florida
Gulf Front elegant dining with casual dining available

Beach House – Lunch & Dinner – Bradenton Beach, FL
Gulf Front casual dining – you can eat right on the beach

Euphemia Haye – Dinner – Longboat Key, Florida
Elegant dining, huge assortment of desserts

Moveable Feast – Lunch and Dinner – Holmes Beach, Fl
Casual dining with plenty of holiday seating

Paradise Cafe – Lunch – Holmes Beach, East Bay Plaza
Order take out or small availability for dining in

Rod and Reel Restaurant – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – Anna Maria City
Bay front dining – casual – live sea-life daily

Sandbar – Lunch & Dinner – Anna Maria City, Florida
Gulf Front dining – walk right in from the beach!

Sign of the Mermaid – Three meals – Anna Maria city, Florida
Business Casual dining. National award winning key lime pie.

Waterfront restaurant – Lunch and Dinner – Anna Maria City, Florida
Bay View business casual dining. Reservations strongly suggested

OTHER BRADENTON STORES OPEN HOLIDAY’S

Albertson’s Supermarket – Bradenton, Fl

Sweetbay Supermarket – Bradenton, Fl

Walgreens – Bradenton, Fl – Open 24 hours

Bradenton, FL Easter Egg Dash

If you have never witnessed 100’s of children running over a 100 feet to 36,000 Easter Eggs, come to Anna Maria Island for the Easter Egg Dash! Make the 10 minute drive out to G.T. Bray Park, in Bradenton, at 9:30am on Easter Sunday.

The Easter Egg Dash!

At G.T. Bray Park, they run an unbelievable operation where 36,000 Easter Eggs are laid out over 4 baseball fields. They categorize children by ages to ensure the fairest of play. This year they had 10 grand prizes. The grand prize…a period of time in the Money booth. Whatever you catch is yours and believe me there were not coins in the money booth.

Along with the Easter Egg dash they brought the Easter Bunny! The large pirate ship is sure to get everyone ready for the dash. We also enjoyed the blow up play areas and prizes given out.

My son recieved a prize for smiling and saying “please.” If you just cannot wait until next year take a look at the pictures below. It just might get you through the year but I dare you not to smile when staring at the pure elation on the children’s faces running towards the thousands of Easter Eggs.

Link to Easter Egg Dash You Tube Video

easter egg dash

Easter Sunset – Anna Maria Sunset 3-23-08

The Easter sunset is among us, and it is beautiful! The week has been a bit colder than usual due to cloud cover. We were rained out two days, but the remaining sunsets made up for the two days lost. It was extremely difficult to choose the best sunset of the week. There is something about sitting on the beach with your feet in the sand to see the artwork that will be created for the evening. This week’s Sunset was taken in Anna Maria City very close to Pine Avenue and was taken on 3-23-08 Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunset 2008

Easter Sunset

Enjoying an Easter sunset with family and friends on Anna Maria Island is priceless. Experience a sunset for yourself when you book an Anna Maria Island beach rental!