Chattanooga-area residents can commemorate Easter in ways secular and sacred. Here are some of the celebrations with kids in mind.
COMMUNITY EGG HUNTS
Friday, April 18
¦ Hamilton Family YMCA – 7430 Shallowford Road. Dynamic Church partners with the YMCA and The Salvation Army for its second Hunt To Can Hunger. Activities including photos with the Easter Bunny and a bouncy house start at 4:30 p.m. Hunts for 12,000 eggs begin at 5:30 p.m., with children divided by age groups (register in advance at HuntToCanHunger.com). The goal is to collect 2,000 pounds of nonperishable food, besting last year’s 1,800 pounds. Nonperishable food items and monetary donations will be accepted on-site. The Salvation Army food pantry is especially low on canned meats and breakfast items (cereal, bars, grits, oatmeal). Food items will be accepted in advance at the Hamilton Family YMCA. Financial donations may be made online at HuntToCanHunger.com.
Saturday, April 19
¦ Church of the Highlands – 6621 Hunter Road, Harrison. Tens of thousands of candy-filled plastic eggs will be dropped by helicopter onto a grassy field for the hunt at 5:15 p.m. Activities from 4 to 6 p.m. include inflatables, carnival games, “Minute To Win It” games, food trucks and candy. Kids will be divided into age groups and must be ready for the egg hunt by 4:45 p.m. They will be allowed onto field after the helicopter has left the area. Only those who register online at http://thehighlands.ccc may hunt. Prize drawings for Nintendo 3DS XL, iPod Shuffle and two light-up skateboards will be held after 6 p.m. service.