There are Easter events happening all over the hi-desert starting on Friday.
Friday
The Way Station will be holding their annual Easter Food Giveaway at 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning. They’ll be distributing hams, turkeys, fresh produce, and canned goods, and they will even be serving a continental breakfast at the event. No proof of residency is needed. Some of the food was donated by locals at Saturday’s (April 12) “Feed the Bus” event organized by Basin Transit.
The Way Station is located at 61722 Commercial St in Joshua Tree.
The Twentynine Palms Ministerial Association will be hosting their annual Community Good Friday Service at 12:00 noon on Friday. The service will include scripture readings, prayer, songs and a brief message. The service will be shortened this year to accommodate those who will attend over their lunch hour. Free sack lunches shall be provided for those needing a portable meal to take with them. The service will be held at Little Church of the Desert, located at 6079 Adobe Road.
Saturday
In Joshua Tree the 56th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Craft Fair will be at the Joshua Tree Community Center on Saturday morning at 6171 Sunburst Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Egg hunts start at 9:00 a.m. There are six age divisions plus an indoor craft fair and Easter Bunny photos.
In Yucca Valley there will be an Easter Eggstravaganza at the Yucca Valley Community Center located at 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway. That will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free egg hunt starts at 9:30 a.m. The Easter Bunny will be there to share the fun, photos, contests, and there will be a “Lil Hoppers Zone” for toddlers.
Sunday
Then on Sunday, the Ministerial Association will be hosting a Community Easter Sunrise Service outdoors at the stage area at Freedom Plaza, on Easter Sunday, beginning at 6:00 a.m. The service will include sharing from Pastor Ryan with “The Betrayal”, Deacon Gerald with “The Cross”, Deacon Jacob with “The Tomb” and Pastor Lonnie with “The Appearance”. Worship will be provided by First Baptist Church, and an offering will be collected to support The Sanctuary Church-Outreach: Feed the Need. Light refreshments will be served.
The outdoor Sunday service begins at 6:00 a.m. City officials released a notice to residents living near Freedom Plaza about the early service, saying, “This religious observance is a long-standing tradition offered by members of the local faith-based community. As a courtesy, the City is notifying residents of the temporary early morning activity that may be heard in the area surrounding Freedom Plaza. The City appreciates the community’s understanding and cooperation as this independently organized gathering takes place.”
