March is said to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, or vice versa, but it’s a bunny that’s in the forefront of many minds as spring hops into the picture.
Following a long, cold, snowy winter, southern New Jersey residents are looking forward to longer, warmer days and the celebration of rebirth on Easter Sunday, April 5.
To mark the passage of winter and rebirth of Christ according to Christian tradition, churches have regular and special services (see ads on these pages).
In addition, local towns are hosting their annual Easter egg hunts and associated festivities.
Ocean City has events planned over two weekends. A meet and greet with the Easter Bunny is set for 9 to 11 a.m. March 28-29 in an Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard boat at Mark Soifer Park on the corner of Asbury Avenue and Ninth Street. On March 29, the Great Egg Hunt is set for 1 to 3 p.m. from Sixth to 14th streets on the boardwalk, where children can stop by participating businesses for treats.
The following weekend, the meet and greet is set for the same time April 4, followed by the Great Egg Hunt. On April 5, the Easter Sunrise Service, a traditional nondenominational service by the sea, is set for 6:30 a.m. at the Music Pier.
Later that day, the Dueling Pianos Show featuring the Philly Keys is set to start at noon in front of the Music Pier, where a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny is set for 2 p.m.
Upper Township will host its traditional egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. March 28 at Amanda’s Field, where volunteers fill and place hundreds of eggs for children to scoop up in their baskets.
In Somers Point, the annual Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. April 2 at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. The free event is sponsored by the Somers Point Police Department and Recreation Department. Children must provide their own basket, and the eggs are first-come, first-served. The Easter Bunny will be in the gazebo for photos.
Atlantic County will celebrate Easter at the Park from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28.
The annual event will be held at the Estell Manor Park, 109 Route 50 South, Mays Landing, where visitors can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter craft activities and a wagon ride.
Easter at the Park is sponsored by the Atlantic County Division of Parks and Recreation. All activities are free but registration is required at atlanticcountynj.gov/parks.
The Easter Egg Hunt will be separated by age groups as follows: ages 1-5 at 12:30 p.m.; ages 6-10 at 1 p.m.; and ages 11-13 at 1:30 p.m.
In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, March 29 at the same time.
For questions, please call the Nature Center at (609) 625-1897 or email: parks@aclink.org.
Stations of the Cross April 3
on Ocean City Boardwalk
At noon Friday, April 3, St. John Lutheran Church of Ocean City invites the community to walk together in reflection and prayer to observe the Stations of the Cross.
The event will begin at 14th Street on the Ocean City Boardwalk and continue down the boardwalk to Sixth Street. Along the route, there will be pauses at several locations for Scripture readings, prayers and brief reflections while remembering the journey of Christ to the cross. This is a meaningful opportunity to walk together in faith during the Lenten season.
Everyone is welcome — members, visitors, families, and friends. Please join in for this time of prayer, remembrance, and community.
Please dress appropriately for the weather and comfortable walking. St. John Lutheran Church, at 1001 Central Ave., holds Sunday worship each week at 9:30 a.m. Learn more at StJohnLutheranOC.org