Easter Weekend Events, Services, Egg Hunts, Shopping, Dining and More

Easter weekend is a busy one in the Greater Brandon area, as evidenced by this sampling of things to do.

Many of the events are for services and special stagings and productions that attest to the solemnity and joy of the religious holiday.

By no means is the list complete and we welcome your comments as to what this list also should highlight. Additions will be noted as the weekend unwinds.

Also on our list are places to go with your pets and kids, special times and offerings at area restaurants and shops and where you can hunt for eggs and take pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Our list is sorted by days, starting with today, April 6.

It should be noted, too, that today is a holiday for the Hillsborough County Public School District, so travel time for workers still making the commute should be a little easier.

Links To Know:

• Tampa Bay Parenting has an extensive list of things to do with the kids this month, including 31 items through Easter Sunday. Good list of things to do outside the Greater Brandon area.

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FRIDAY (April 6)

"Journey to the Cross"

• in Brandon is staging "Journey to the Cross" for a final night tonight, from 3 to 9 p.m. at 1017 Kingsway Road in Brandon. The "contemplative experience" stands in lieu of the church's Good Friday services. "Journey to the Cross" is a reverent journey depicting the final days of the life of Jesus Christ. Easter services at the church are Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. A "Journey" preview video is posted online.

“Seven Last Words of Jesus”

• Good Friday service, led by area pastors at , starts at 6:30 p.m. Features is the church’s First Voice Choir and orchestra. The church is at 216 North Parsons Ave.

Religious Services

• Easter services, dates and times and special events are posted online for Nativity Catholic Church, First Baptist Church of Brandon, Apostles Lutheran Church, St. Andrews United Methodist Church, The Crossing Church, St. Stephen Catholic Church. (If you don't see your church listed, and would like to, please let us know in the comment box below, or send an email to linda.chion@patch.com.)

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FRIDAY and SATURDAY (April 6-7)

"Walk the Way of the Cross"

• The Horizon Christian Church, at 1720 South Cloud Ave. in Valrico, presents “Walk the Way of the Cross,” a dramatic presentation about the life of Jesus Christ running from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tours start approximately 10 minutes apart and each tour takes about 45 minutes. The production includes 300 panels built by congregants, including two new scenes this year. Featured are such events as the triumphal entry, the Last Supper, prayers in the Garden of Gethsemene, crucifixion and the Resurrection.

Pictures With the Easter Bunny

• Visit the Easter Bunny at the shopping mall. The Easter Photo Express allows shoppers to make same-day reservations three ways: Text “Brandon” on your cell phone (626-414-3210), register online or visit the Easter Bunny booth near Books-A-Million and across from the Apple store. You will be notified via text message “how much longer until you reach the front of the line.” Easter Bunny hours are Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with “carrot breaks” from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 7

Rescue Pets, Egg Hunt, Scavenger Hunt

• , in conjunction with Rescue Partners, presents the HOPS Eggstravaganza, also known as the “Help Our Pets Adopt-a-Thon and Egg Hunt.” The free event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The animal shelter is in Greater Brandon, at 440 North Falkenburg Road. Food, vendors, contests, prizes and a scavenger hunt. Hundreds of pets and dozens of rescue groups will be on hand. The hunts for Easter Eggs start at 11 a.m. Photos with the Easter Bunny. All proceeds from professional pet nail trims will benefit pets with medical needs. Owned pets on leashes are welcome in the festival yard, but not inside the shelter. Call: 813-744-5660.

The British Touch

• The Brandon British Club is set to sponsor Easter Fayre Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the private park at the end of the cul de sac on Lady Elaine Drive in Valrico, off Seffner-Valrico Road. Egg hunt, races, a bean-bag toss, bouncy castle, face painting, music and bake sale. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Cracker Country, Old-Fashioned Community Social

• Attend an old-fashioned community social at Cracker Country at the Florida State Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids will compete in sack races, ring tosses, hoop rolling and guessing games, for ribbons and prizes. See a blacksmith at work, help with chores and twist rope. The Centurians Quartet, a Southern singing group, is set to perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and children ages 6 to 15. Children ages 5 and younger are admitted for free. Parking is free if visitors use the Orient Road service entrance.

Family Fun Fest With a Latin Touch and Soccer Focus

• The Festival Latino is free to the public. Play soccer with professionals, enjoy traditional Latin foods, bust a piñata. The no-cost family fun fest is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2102 Bell Shoals Road. The free soccer clinic for kids and adults is with professional Brazilian soccer player, Romildo Sanches, now a Seffner resident, and soccer legend Derek Smethurst. Also on hand will be members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies organization. Food samples with a Latin flavor provided by local restaurants. Also on tap: an Easter egg  hunt, story time, crafts, face painting, games and inflatable play spaces. Hispanic singer and Christian recording artist Kelly Kelz is set to perform. Door prizes to be given away every half hour; included are four tickets to Legoland.

Easter Egg Hunt, Jelly Bean Contest

• On display near the entrance of the is a jar full of jelly beans. Guess how many for a chance to win a free kids meal for a year. The Easter Egg Hunt kicks off at 1 p.m. On hand, till around 4 p.m., will be the Easter bunny as well. Games, photos, prizes. The eatery is at 2025 West Brandon Blvd.

Shopper's Special

• is holding an “Eggstravaganza” at which the first 100 customers will receive a Bealls blue egg. Coupons will be planted inside, with prizes in two special eggs, for an iPod Touch and for a Dervis cup. The Brandon store, at 925 East Bloomingdale Ave., opens at 7 a.m. Shoppers all day can take advantage of the advertised “lowest prices of the season,” with dresses 50 percent off.

Special Brewery Event at Westfield Eatery

• Every month The Brass Tap , at Westfield Brandon, features a day for “Brewery of the Month,” with drink specials for select beers from that brewery. This month’s event is April 7, with drink specials all day and live music starting at 9 p.m. The restaurant is open from noon to 2 a.m.

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SUNDAY APRIL 8

Religious: Sunrise Service

• The Sixth Annual Community Easter Sunrise Service, by the lake at , hosted by Tampa Bay Area Emmaus Community, starts at 6:30 a.m. Sing and mediate before the sun rises. Bring warm clothing to offset possible chilly breezes off the lake. Bring lawn chairs for seating. Call: 813-677-9482.

Religious: Community Easter Service, Celebration, Egg Hunt

• The Bridge of the Bay Community Church, at YMCA Camp Christina, will present its Second Annual Community Easter Celebration Service and Easter Egg Hunt, starting at 9:30 a.m. The camp is at 9840 Balm-Riverview Road in Riverview. Free Starbucks coffee and donuts start the day, with the service set to begin at 9:50 a.m. Following the one-hour service is an Easter egg hunt with a special section for “wobblers” and “toddlers.” Prizes, candy, a bouncy house and music.

Easter Brunch and Kids Activities

• The Copper Bell Cafe, at 11226 Boyette Road in Riverview,  is serving and hosting a brunch buffet and "Kids Zone" event from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Copper Kids Zone events include an Easter egg hunt, bouncy castles, kids games and egg coloring. Brunch items include an omelet station, honey glazed ham and turkey and stuffing. "Daisy" the Easter bunny will ne on hand as well.

Where To Eat Easter Sunday in Brandon

• The in Brandon opens 11 a.m. Easter Sunday. The restaurant, specializing in seafood, typically opens Sundays at 4 p.m.
• The , at Westfield Brandon, has normal brunch hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• The Ryuu Japanese Steak House, at Westfield Brandon, is closing one hour earlier. Easter Sunday hours are from noon to 8 p.m.
• The is serving an Easter Sunday Buffet, with schnitzel, German cabbage, spatzle and more, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Easter brunch at will be available at four times, with limited seating. Seatings are at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Organic and natural cuisine choices. Reservations must be guaranteed with major credit card. Call: 813-655-6200.