Children can pet a real bunny and have their pictures made with the Easter bunny during Hug-a-Bunny at Chattanooga Zoo.The Easter bunny has a lot of appointments coming up in Chattanooga - enough to keep him hopping all weekend.
In fact, the coming weekend offers a variety of spiritual and secular holiday observances. Whether Easter means a bunny or the lamb to you, here's a list of where to celebrate.
GOOD FRIDAY CHATTANOOGA
» Where: The Signal, 1810 Chestnut St.
» When: 7 p.m. Friday, April 19
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-498-4700
City Church Chattanooga sponsors Good Friday praise service with music by Leeland, a Christian rock band from Texas. Doors open at 6 p.m. All guests will be subject to a bag search before entry.
There will be no child care so parents should plan accordingly.
Concessions will be sold; no outside food or beverages may be brought in. No backpacks, umbrellas, weapons, GoPros, glow sticks or selfie sticks are allowed inside either.
HUG-A-BUNNY
» Where: Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave.
» When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 19-20
» Admission: $10.95 adults, $8.95 ages 65 and older, $7.95 children 3-12, free for ages 2 and under and military/veterans
» For more information: www.chattzoo.org
Pet a real bunny, have pictures made with the Easter bunny, hunt for the golden egg and enjoy animal enrichment activities during the zoo's spring fundraiser.
The Hug-a-Bunny Zone offers more family fun for an additional fee of $5 if wristband is purchased online Thursday; $6 zoo members, $7 nonmembers at the door on event days.
The Bunny Zone will offer inflatables, face painting, crafts, games and animal encounters.
Photos with the Easter bunny are priced $7 per print. There will be concessions for sale as well.
EASTER BUNNY BREAKFAST
» Where: Southern Belle riverboat, 151 Riverfront Parkway
» When: 9 a.m. Saturday, April 20
» Admission: $24.99 ages 13 and older, $12.95 children ages 3-12
» For more information: 423-266-4488
This cruise starts with a pancake breakfast on the Grand Chandelier Deck of Pier 2. As children's tunes play, enjoy a breakfast of Hippity-Hoppity Eggs, sausage links, Peter Cottontail buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, chilled orange juice, milk and coffee.
After breakfast, board the riverboat for a 10 a.m. sightseeing cruise with the Easter bunny.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA PARTY
» Where: White Lightning Harley-Davidson, 7720 Lee Highway
» When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 20
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-892-4888
Photo-ops with the baddest bunny in town: Road King Roger Rabbit. The party will include music by Soul Survivor, food sold by Rolling J's Mobile Bistro with drinks from Bud's Sports Bar.
BUNNY TRAIN
» Where: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
» When: 10:40 a.m., 12:05 and 2:25,p.m. Friday, April 19; 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15 and 2:25 p.m. Saturday, April 20
» Admission: $23 ages 2 and older
» For more information: 423-894-8028
Hop aboard the annual Bunny Train to meet the Easter bunny, enjoy coloring pages, games and an Easter egg hunt. Departs from Grand Junction. Advance reservations strongly recommended.
GREAT ADULT EGG HUNT AND HOPPY HOUR
» Where: Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St.
» When: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, April 20
» Admission: $7 in advance, $10 at the door
» For more information: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-chatterys-great-adult-egg-hunt-and-hoppy-hour-tickets-57933822623
This is the second year for this adults-only Easter event that combines the arts with seasonal fun.
The Great Adult Egg Hunt will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Sculpture Fields where grown-ups will hunt for candy-filled eggs and artist-decorated eggs around the sculptures. Participants may only keep one artistic wooden egg, no matter how many they find.
All that running will work up a thirst and appetite. So after the hunt, the party moves to Main Street at 4 p.m. for a restaurant hop of neighborhood businesses. Hoppers' wristbands will entitle them to special deals at some of the restaurants.
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICES
» Where: National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave.
» When: 7 a.m. Sunday, April 21
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-855-6597
Hosted by The Salvation Army of Greater Chattanooga for more than 40 years, this sunrise service averages 300 to 400 guests. Kimberly George, Salvation Army director of marketing and development, encourages folks to arrive early for seating before the 7:02 sunrise.
Maj. Mark Smith, Salvation Army's area commander, will deliver the message. The Jericho Brass will perform music.
» Where: Chattanooga Memorial Park in White Oak, 501 Memorial Drive
» When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 21
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-698-2541
This is one of two Easter sunrise services being sponsored by Chattanooga Funeral Home. Dr. Paul Rader, pastor of Northside Presbyterian Church, will give a message at this service in the park known for its duck pond. There will be refreshments and a dove release.
» Where: Hamilton Memorial Gardens, 5351 Highway 153 in Hixson
» When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 21
» Admission: Free
» For more information: 423-698-2541
This is the second Easter sunrise service sponsored by Chattanooga Funeral Home. Dr. David McNabb, executive director of Teen Challenge, will be the speaker. There will also be refreshments and a dove release.
EASTER AT COOLIDGE PARK
» Where: Coolidge Park, 200 River St.
» When: 9 a.m. Sunday, April 21
» Admission: Free
» For more information: easteratcoolidge.com
For the 11th year, Stuart Heights Baptist Church is sponsoring this community egg hunt and worship service on Easter Sunday.
Bring your own basket for the mad scramble for 100,000 hidden eggs that morning. Although the hunt begins at 9 a.m., guests begin arriving at 8 a.m. to set up their folding chairs and enjoy the activities and camaraderie.
The worship service led by Stuart Heights Worship Choir and Band will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the opportunity to be baptized in a portable baptistry in Coolidge Park.
EASTER LUNCH CRUISE
» Where: Southern Belle riverboat, 151 Riverfront Parkway
» When: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21
» Admission: $36.95 ages 13 and older, $19.95 children ages 3-12
» For more information: 423-266-4488.
The buffet lunch includes ham and lemon-basil chicken entrees with sides and dessert.
COMMUNITY EGG HUNTS
» Easter at the Park, Gilbert Stephenson Park, 9 Van Cleve St., Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.: 9-11 a.m. Easter Sunday. Bring your basket for an egg hunt at 9 a.m. followed by an Easter message and singing at 10 a.m., hosted by The Orchard Church. Bring a folding chair or blanket for seating.
» Gordon Lake Wesleyan Church, 29 Gordon Lake Road, LaFayette, Ga.: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Free event with Easter bunny, inflatables, games, balloon artist, food.
» Hamilton Family YMCA, 7430 Shallowford Road: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Games, arts and crafts, inflatables at free Easter party; egg hunt begins at 11:30 a.m.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.