Hop to It

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Easter celebrations are hopping all over the beach and surrounding areas this weekend, with each one offering something unique.

At Schooners Beach Club, 5121 Gulf Drive, the main activities for families take place on Saturday, while the adult fun begins on Good Friday as Beach Sand Sculptures starts work on a giant-size sandcastle that dazzles the crowd each year. Sticky Tea plays live 8-11 p.m. Friday.

Saturday morning starts with breakfast on the menu at 9 a.m., including mimosa and Bloody Mary specials for the adults. Registration for the Little Locals Beach Easter Egg Hunt opens at 8:45 a.m. The hunts will be broken into four age groups: 0-2 years at 10 a.m.; 3-4 years at 10:30 a.m.; 5-6 years 11 a.m.; and 7-9 years at 11:30 a.m. Space is limited, so be sure to arrive early to register.

The pristine, sandy white beach in front of Schooners is the ideal site for an "old fashioned" Easter Egg Hunt with prizes, candy, gift certificates and trophies awarded in each division. Be sure to visit the Easter Bunny for photos and check the progress of the giant sand sculpture on the beachside.

The celebration continues for the grownups from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday with mimosa and Bloody Mary specials. Stainless Steel plays live 6-9 p.m. For details on any of these events, call 850-235-2555 or visit Schooners.com. Schooners Beach Club is located at 5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach.

Meanwhile, over at ZooWorld, 9008 Front Beach Road, guests are invited to one of two Easter egg hunts — and a whole lot more — both Saturday and Sunday. Park owner and director Kayte Hogan said this third annual event under the new management has proven a great success, rain or shine.

"We were rained on last year, but the kids who came out must have taken home 500 eggs each," she said with a laugh. "We will have a section closed off just for the 4-and-under crowd to hunt, and another for the older children, 12 and under."

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, ZooWorld will have face-painting, games, crafts, baby chicks and bunnies, and photo opportunities with the Easter bunny. Hunts will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition, the new alligator exhibit is opening; renovations for the space took up about one-third of the park and is home to 26 gators (60 gators by the end of May) that guests are invited to feed.

On the western reaches of the beach, the Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation division is hosting a Doggie Easter Egg hunt on Saturday that's designed for the furry members of the family. More than 200 eggs with dog treats inside will be placed along the walkways for pets to sniff out and enjoy. Dogs must be leashed for the activity, said Parks Resources Supervisor Dale Colby.

"We did this about six years ago, and it was a great success. We're excited to be doing it again," Colby said. "It should be a lot of fun."

The free event is at the Panama City Beach Conservation Park, 100 Conservation Drive. Pups and their owners should gather at the park pavilion at 9 a.m. Saturday for a short nature walk that will end at the outdoor classroom. In addition to the doggie treats and eggs, gift baskets will be awarded as door prizes.

EASTER EVENTS

See the list below for more details on these events, as well as a look at all of the other celebrations in the area.

Friday, April 14

2017 Panama City Passion Play: 7 p.m. at the Marina Civic Center, 8 Harrison Ave., Panama City. 14th annual production presented by St. Andrew Baptist Church. Free admission; no tickets required; seating is first-come, first-seated. Suggested donation: 1 canned good requested to benefit the Center of Hope, a non-profit organization in the heart of St Andrews that provides food and clothing to those in need in the community. Details at PanamaCityPassionPlay.com

Saturday, April 15

Doggie Easter Egg Hunt: 9 a.m. at the Conservation Park, 100 Conservation Drive, Panama City Beach. Bring dogs to the park's pavilion for a nature walk before the Easter egg hunt. For details, Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation, 850-233-5045

Schooners Easter Celebration: 9 a.m.-until at Schooners Beach Club, 5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach. Registration for the kids' Easter egg hunt opens at 8:45 a.m.; 0-2 age group hunt is at 10 a.m.; 3-4 age group at 10:30 a.m.; 5-6 age group at 11 a.m.; 7-9 age group at 11:30 a.m. Space is limited. Be sure to visit the Easter Bunny for photos and check the progress of the giant sand sculpture on the beachside. Saturday breakfast is 9-11 a.m.; Sticky Tea plays live 8-11 p.m.; mimosa and Bloody Mary specials for the adults. For details, call 850-235-5555 or visit Schooners.com

St. Andrews Easter Egg Hunt: 9:30 a.m. at Oaks by the Bay Park at the intersection of 10th Street and Beck Avenue. Separate areas for ages 4 and under, 5-6, and 7-9. Hunt will include four golden eggs with special prizes. A "Special Needs Hunt" for all ages starts at 11 a.m. Follow the Easter Egg Parade Trail to the St. Andrews Farmers Market immediately after the Egg Hunt. Hunt sponsored by Krewe of St. Andrews, St. Andrews Waterfront Project and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Details, Charles Segrest at 850-896-4896

Lynn Haven Easter Egg Hunt: 9-11 a.m. atLynn Haven Sports Complex, 2201 Recreation Drive, Lynn Haven. Visit the Easter Chicken and Bunny. Egg hunt times are 9:30 a.m. for 1-3 years, 9:35 a.m. for 4-7 years, 9:40 a.m. for 8-10 years. Don't forget your baskets.

Lynn Haven Easter Egg Hunt: 10-11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Lynn Haven, Georgia Avenue and Ninth Street. Open to children ages 2-12. For details, 850-265-2051

PCB Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway. Panama City Beach Parks & Recreation presents an egg hunt for children 10 and under featuring photos with the Easter Bunny and 10,000 Easter eggs. Free event. For details, 850-233-5045 or PanamaCityBeachParksAndRecreation.com

ZooWorld Easter Egg Hunts: hunts at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Zooworld, 9008 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy chicks and bunnies, face painting, and a brand new exhibit. Regular admission applies: $16.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors 65 and older, $12.95 for children ages 2-12, free for children under 2 years old; 20 percent off admission for military and Bay County residents with valid I.D. Season pass holders receive a 50-percent discount. Details at 850-230-1243 or info@zooworldpcb.com

Mad Hatter's Tea Party: 10 a.m. to noon at Central Park in Alys Beach. Join Alys, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter for hat decorating. Cost is $5 suggested donation. Proceeds go to the Seaside Reperatory Theatre. Limited to 100 young guests. Details at AlysBeach.com

Seaside Easter Celebration: Noon to 2 p.m. in Seaside on County 30A, includes a visit from the Easter Bunny, live music, and an egg hunt for children. Details at SeasideFL.com

2017 Panama City Passion Play: 4 p.m. at the Marina Civic Center, 8 Harrison Ave., Panama City. Free admission. Suggested donation: 1 canned good requested to benefit the Center of Hope. Details at PanamaCityPassionPlay.com

Sunday, April 16

Easter at Grand Lagoon Market: 8 a.m. to noon at Grand Lagoon Waterfront Farmers Market, in the lot at Capt. Anderson's Restaurant off Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach. Old fashioned Easter Stroll and egg coloring; decorate bonnets and color eggs to take home. All ages welcome, all materials provided. Details on Facebook.

Rosemary Beach Easter Celebration: 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Rosemary Beach begins with a non-denominational church service on Eastern Green. (Bring blankets and lawn chairs.) Then stroll to Western Green for the arrival of the Easter Bunny, complimentary mimosas for adults and the annual Easter Egg Hunt, with lots of special prizes from the Merchants of Rosemary Beach. Details at 850-231-1861 or RosemaryBeachFL.org

Easter Egg Hunt: 10:30 a.m. at Runaway Island, 14521 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach. Open to children up to age 10. Special Easter menu will be available. Details at RunawayIslandPCB.com or 850-634-4884

ZooWorld Easter Egg Hunts: hunts at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at ZooWorld, 9008 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach. Enjoy chicks and bunnies, face painting, and a brand new exhibit. Regular admission applies. Season pass holders receive a 50-percent discount. Details at 850-230-1243 or info@zooworldpcb.com

See the listing of Easter Sunrise Services on Page 29.

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