Archived News

Hundreds of children donned paper Easter bunny ears and hunted for goodies during Decatur’s annual Easter egg hunt, held for the first time on the lawn of Decatur First Baptist Church. The Decatur Fire Department collected non-perishable food and household items for two charities during the event, which was hosted by the Decatur Business Association. Photo by Marcia Lampe

Trees are in blossom and flowers blanket the hills and roadsides. Spring is here and that means the Easter/Passover season can’t be far behind. This year, as they often do, Easter and Passover coincide. Passover, an eight-day celebration, starts the evening of Friday, April 6, and Easter is April 8. 

Whether one is observing a sacred holiday or simply celebrating the coming of spring, Mother Nature already is dressed in her finest to greet the season of new life.  There will be a variety of both secular and sacred events across DeKalb County this holiday season. Here is a sampling. 

Just for fun

Callanwolde’s Eggstravaganza

Eggstravaganza returns to Callanwolde on Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. – noon. A family favorite for years, Callanwolde’s Easter egg hunt features thousands of eggs, a live performance by Enzo Clown, Atlanta Braves game tickets and  prizes, arts and crafts and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. Families are invited to bring Easter baskets and cameras for a fun day in Callanwolde’s beautiful gardens and grounds.

The charge for children 12 and younger is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Adults are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at TicketLeap. All proceeds benefit the Callanwolde dance program. 

In case of rain the event will be cancelled. No onsite parking will be available. There will be free parking and shuttle bus service beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Emory University Briarcliff Campus, 1256 Briarcliff Road, a half mile north of Callanwolde. For more information call (404) 872-5338 or visit www.callanwolde.org.

Dinosaur Egg Hunt at Fernbank

The Fernbank Museum is offering a day of springtime family fun with its third annual Dinosaur Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 7. This year’s Dinosaur Egg Hunt will feature age-appropriate timed egg hunts, thousands of prize-filled eggs and special activities, including an inflatable alligator slide, Radio Disney AM 590, dinosaur mascot, temporary tattoos and game corner. Advance registration is required to participate in a timed egg hunt. The Dinosaur Egg Hunt is $5 in addition to museum admission for member children and free for member adults. Admission for non-member children is $5 for those 2 and younger and $20.50 for those 3 to 12 years old. Non-member adults will be charged $17.50. Space is limited. The Fernbank Museum is located at 767 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta. For more information, visit www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Community Easter Egg Hunt

DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson announced that he and State Rep. Billy Mitchell will present the eighth annual Super District 7 “Easter Egg-travaganza.” The event will be held at Wade Walker Park on Sunday, April 8, 2 – 5 p.m. Watson said he anticipates between 200 and 400 attendees.

Children attending the event can meet Georgia State University mascot “Pounce” and participate in age-appropriate entertainment. The  egg hunt starts at 2:30 p.m. for ages 6 and younger and at 3:15 p.m. for children 7 to 10. There will also be face painting, jumper play areas, snacks, games/activities, prizes andEaster treats. DeKalb County Public Safety divisions and the Fraternal Order of Police will participate as well. For more information, visit www.stanwatson.us. 

Events in Avondale Estates

Avondale Estates will hold its Spring Extravaganza Easter weekend, starting with the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 7. The egg hunt, a city-sponsored event, will be held at Lake Avondale for children 10 and younger. 

At 11 a.m. canine friends get to join in the fun at the Avondale Estates Spring Dog Parade. Area residents are invited to bring their dogs to the front of the Community Club, where the parade, sponsored by the city of Avondale Estates and the ad hoc dog park committee, starts.  Awards will be offered in such categories as best costume, best owner/dog duo, most spirited/enthusiastic and best behaved.  Costumes are not required to participate. For a registration form and guidelines, visit www.avondaleestates.org. 

There will be a parade in Avondale Estates on Easter Sunday, April 8, but it won’t be quite like the one in the old Fred Astaire-Judy Garland movie Easter Parade. This will be the city’s annual Antique Car Parade. Hosted by the Antique Automobile Club of America, the annual Antique Car Parade will line up beginning at 1 p.m. for the parade that starts at 2:30 p.m. on South Avondale Road and ends at Willis Park, where the cars remain for display. For more information, visit www.avondaleestates.org.
 

Easter at Villa Christina

Villa Christina’s rose gardens will be filled with colorful Easter eggs and blooming flowers, as the Dunwoody restaurant hosts its annual Easter Sunday Brunch on April 8, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The brunch will feature made-to-order omelets and pancakes, seafood, prime rib and homemade pastas along with an array of desserts. Children’s activities will include an egg hunt, arts and crafts, face painting and a Moonwalk. Parents may want to bring a camera, because the Easter Bunny will be on hand to pose for photos. Reservations are required. The brunch costs $45 for adults and $25 for children 6 to 12 years old, and is free for children 5 years old and younger. Villa Christina is located at 4000 Summit Boulevard, Atlanta. For reservations or more information, call (404) 303-0133 or visit www.villachristina.

Religious celebrations

Many in the community remain mindful that Easter is a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. There are a number of special religious programs and services being held throughout the county.

Churches to hold Good Friday pilgrimage

Druid Hills United Methodist Church will be among the churches participating in a Good Friday service April 6 organized by Mercy Community Church and involving churches in the Poncey-Highlands neighborhood. The pilgrimage will begin at noon on the Barnett Street side of Barnett and Ponce de Leon Avenue. The group “will pause at various locations to remember the suffering of Christ on his way to Golgotha and the suffering and cries of many of our brothers and sisters who live on the streets in our neighborhood,” according to the announcement. The service is expected to last 90 minutes to two hours, and participants are welcome to join in or drop out along the way. On Sunday, April 8, Druid Hills United Methodist Church Easter Sunday worship will begin at 11 a.m. Druid Hills United Methodist Church is located at 1200 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. For more information, call (404) 377-6481.

Rainbow Park Baptist Church to hold Good Friday services

Rainbow Park Baptist Church in Decatur will host seven sermonettes presented by various ministers during the Good Friday “Seven Last Words” Services, Friday, April 6, at noon and 7 p.m.. Rainbow Park’s final “Holy Week” event will be on Easter Sunday, April 8, when service will start at 10 a.m.

Rainbow Park Baptist Church is located at 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur. For more information, visit www.rainbowparkbaptist.org  or call (404) 288-1910.

MJCCA to hold community Passover Seder

The MJCCA invites families to a special Community Passover Seder Friday, April 6, 6 – 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Brian Glusman. The Passover Seder experience will include readings from the Haggadah, engaging explanations, festive songs, and a Kosher meal catered by The Goodfriend Company (under AKC Supervision) with a choice of chicken or brisket, matzoh ball soup, gefilte fish, matzoh kugel, vegetables and dessert. The event will be in Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. The price is $50 for adults and $25 for children 4 to 8 years old. Children 3 and younger are admitted free. Reservations must be made in advance. To RSVP, contact the registration team at (678) 812-4010. Kid Zone will offer babysitting at a cost of $10 per child. To reserve a space in advance contact Kid Zone at (678) 812-3830.

Stone Mountain Park Sunrise Service

The Stone Mountain Park annual Easter Sunrise Service (described in more detail in the article on page 1) will be Sunday, April 8, at 7 a.m. Vehicle entry to the park is $10 for a one-day permit or $35 for annual permit. Church vans and buses enter free.  Round-trip Skyride fees are $9 for adults and $7 for children 3-11 and $5.50 one-way.  There are no fees for the walk-up trail to the top of the mountain.

Women preachers to tracing Christ’s last days on earth

The Women’s View of Christ and the Cross is an ecumenical journey that features seven women ministers from various denominations in the metro Atlanta area. Each minister weaves through the moving events leading to Christ’s journey to the cross as seen through the eyes of various women of the Bible who witnessed his last days on earth.

This Good Friday Service takes place on Friday, April 6, noon to 3:30 p.m., at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2977 LaVista Road, Decatur.

The ministers leading this inspirational journey from a woman’s perspective include, Rev. Althea Clarke, Nimno AME Church; Rev. Tricia A. McClendon, Mt. Zion AME Church; Rev., Rev. Comfort Ellis, Mt. Zion AME Church; Rev. Jaye Lynn Peabody, Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship; and Rev. Megan Johnson, Clairmont Prebyterian Church. Rev. Dr. McClellon D. Cox, the pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church will provide closing remarks for the program.

For more information on this event, contact Rev. Robyn L. Green at (404) 421-1654.