Parade of Horses and Carriages
The St. Augustine Easter Parade, the Parade of Horses and Carriages, will return for its 61st year April 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Marching bands, floats, drill teams, mascots and the city’s carriage horses will make appearances at the parade, which treks along San Marco Avenue, the bayfront of Avenida Menendez and stops at the Plaza de la Constitución. Nearly 200 Florida A&M University Marching Band performers will march in the parade in addition to the St. Augustine Royal Family and the Easter Bunny. This year’s parade will also feature two special grand marshals in NFL kickers and St. Augustine natives Cairo Santos and Caleb Sturgis. Santos and Sturgis will sign autographs at the Visitor Information Center following the parade.
To learn more, call (904) 829-3800 or visit www.oldestcityeaster.org/easter-parade.html.
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation free Easter egg hunts
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation will host free Easter egg hunts at multiple park locations on Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15.
Children 8 years and younger are invited to participate April 13 at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, located at 1332 Veterans Parkway in St. Johns, and Palencia Park, located at 405 Palencia Village Drive in St. Augustine. Kids may also participate April 15 at 11 a.m. in Treaty Park, located at 1595 Wildwood Drive in St. Augustine; and Al Wilke Park, located at 6140 Main St. in Hastings. Children are asked to bring a basket for egg collection. Eggs and treats will be provided.
The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures at 10:30 a.m. and again after each hunt. Parents are welcome to bring their own cameras for photographs. For more information, call (904) 209-0333.
Peter Cottontail and the St. Marys Express
The Peter Cottontail Express will return to St. Marys April 15 during a special Easter train excursion.
Children of all ages are invited to see the antics of Peter Cottontail and other storybook characters at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day as the St. Marys Express takes passengers through woodlands and marshlands with entertainment along the way. At the Midway stage, actors from St. Marys Little Theatre will bring the Easter bunny story to life. Peter Cottontail will board the train for the return trip and host a special Easter egg hunt back at the station.
The Peter Cottontail Express departs from Theatre by the Trax, located at 1000 Osborne Street in St. Marys. Tickets are $20 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under. Children 2 and under ride free. Tickets can be purchased at www.stmarysrailroad.com or by calling (912) 200-5235. Special group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (912) 729-1103 to get a discount code.
A complete train schedule for future St. Marys Express excursions slated for this year can be found at www.stmarysrailroad.com.
Alleycakes Designer Cakes: Easter Edition
Jacksonville Beach-based Alleycakes will offer an Easter-themed advanced cake decorating class for kids and adults April 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. During the class, participants will observe a demonstration and learn tips and tricks for creating professional cakes at home. Classes are $40 per person which includes an Alleycakes branded apron to wear during class, four-inch vanilla and chocolate cakes, whipped vanilla buttercream, cake-decorating tools, fresh flowers and assorted sprinkles and a cake decorating tutorial. A Q&A session with Alleycakes bakers will also be held. Participants will receive a bakery box to take their decorated cakes home. This advanced-technique class is recommended for ages 10 and up.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Alleycake’s calendar and online tickets page at www.alleycakes.com/classes-events.
Adventure Landing 22nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Adventure Landing will host its 22nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt on its Mini Golf Courses April 15, held hourly from 9 to 11 a.m. for three age groups (four and under, 5-8 and 9-12) with registration beginning at 8 a.m. During the Easter celebration, guests will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for prizes after each hunt and to meet the Easter Bunny. The annual celebration will also see “egg hunt specials” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during which guests can enjoy unlimited mini golf, laser tag and go-karts at special prices of $14.99 and $19.99. For more information, visit www.jacksonville-beach.adventurelanding.com/event/easter-egg-hunt.
Celestial Farms Spring Fling
Celestial Farms will host a Spring Fling April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will feature an Easter egg hunt, a craft and vendor fair, raffles and tours. Admission and parking are free, while train and pony rides and unlimited bounce house access are $3. Celestial Farms is located at 13958 Duval Road in Jacksonville.
