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Tag: Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria, Entertainment, Featured, Holiday.

ANNA MARIA – The 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Sandbar Restaurant drew hundreds of children and their excited parents to the white sands of Anna Maria Island on April 16.

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria
Children make a mad dash for eggs on the beach at the Sandbar Restaurant’s 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

This annual event is not only a treat for local children, but kids from around the world. There were families from across the United States, as well as Germany, the UK, Argentina, Canada, Australia and many more countries. 

“We are here from England. We saw this on one of the local Facebook groups we follow and knew the kids would love it,” said Linus Davies, whose three children scrambled for eggs in the hunt. “It was over so quickly, we were only able to get one quality photograph before the eggs were gone. Much more competitive than we anticipated.”

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria
The sun was shining on the beach behind the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria as eggs were scooped up by hundreds of young participants at the 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

Eggs had treats hidden inside for the children to enjoy after the bring your own basket event. There was also a bonnet contest with prizes including lunch for four at the Sandbar, a gift certificate to Anna Maria Rocks and a chocolate bunny. For the adults, there was a Sandy Toes picnic experience, Sea-Renity Beach Spa massage and lunch for two at the Sandbar up for grabs. For most people, it seemed that just spending time on the beach as a family was the big prize.

“It’s our first time on the Island,” Emily Roth said. “We’ve been to Siesta Key twice and we’ve done Destin, but we really like the feel around here. We saw this event on the AMI Chamber of Commerce’s website.”

Egg hunt brings hundreds to Anna Maria
The Roth and Cowgill families attended their first egg hunt at the Sandbar in Anna Maria. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

The Roths and their friends, the Cowgills, who have vacationed on the Island previously, said they enjoy the laid-back charm of Anna Maria Island and its family-friendly atmosphere.

Sponsors of this year’s egg hunt include the Sandbar, The Anna Maria Island Sun, Anna Maria Rocks, Sea-Renity Beach Spa and Courtesy Cleaners.

Chiles Group offers an old-fashioned Easter for all

Chiles Group offers an old-fashioned Easter for all

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun, Holiday.

ANNA MARIA – The Chiles Group wants to provide an old-fashioned Easter for kids and adults with three activities on Saturday, April 20. The events are sponsored by the Chiles Group, Pine Avenue Restoration and The Anna Maria Island Sun.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. in The Sandbar Gazebo, there will be breakfast snacks, coffee and juice for kids age 10 and under and their families who want to participate in the 33rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The egg hunt begins at 9 a.m. for kids 10 and younger on the beach in front of the Sandbar Restaurant.

Bring baskets or bags to hold the eggs the kids will collect from the beach.

Parking is available in the Sandbar Restaurant parking lot, in adjacent lots on Gulf Drive and at Anna Maria City Hall. Folks are encouraged to ride the free Island trolley to the event from home or from CrossPointe Fellowship at 8605 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

After the Easter Egg Hunt, the Easter Bunny will lead everyone down Pine Avenue to the 10th Annual Easter Egg Roll, featuring fun for the whole family from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Kids can get their faces painted, play games and participate in egg-rolling races. Complimentary framed pictures with the Easter Bunny will be offered with pictures taken by Dara Caudill, owner of IslandPhotography.org. DJ Chuck Caudill will provide music. There will be free food and refreshments.

Easter bonnet contest judging will be at 10:30 a.m. The prize for the first place adult bonnet is a two-night stay at an Anna Maria guest house located on Pine Avenue. There will also be prizes for second and third place. The prize for the best kid’s bonnet is a Sandbar lunch for the winner and three of their friends, complete with hot fudge sundaes. There will also be prizes for second and third place. This is the 17th year The Sun newspaper has been a sponsor for the Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt.

For more information on the Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt and Pine Avenue Easter Egg Roll contact Ashley Chiles at achiles@chilesgroup.com.