Celebrate Easter in Atlanta

Easter Sunday arrives on April 4 this year and, from the sacred to the secular, there are many ways to celebrate the occasion throughout metro Atlanta. Sunrise services, special holiday meals and family events are just a few, so here's a sampling of each that might interest you and your family.

Early-risers may participate in a long-time Atlanta tradition by attending the 66^th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Stone Mountain. Sponsored by the ministerial services of Stone Mountain, two non-denominational services take place simultaneously: one on Memorial Lawn at the base of the mountain and another at the top of the mountain.

While church vans and buses enter this Easter service free, drivers of private vehicles pay ten dollars for a one-time permit or $35 for an annual permit. There's no charge for walking up the mountain and a fee of nine dollars gets you a round-trip Skyride (seven dollars for children under eleven).

And although Easter egg hunts abound in the metro area, one that is fast becoming an Atlanta tradition is held at the governor's mansion. Hosted by First Lady, Mary Perdue, the 8^th Annual Easter Egg Hunt is open to all (although an RSVP is required). This event takes place the weekend before Easter, on Saturday March 27, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Besides hunting for eggs, children can have a picture taken with the Easter Bunny and participate in egg decorating, an Easter basket cupcake station, and an Easter egg roll. Adding to the festivities are a magician, face painting, a moonwalk and balloon animals.

Children should bring their own baskets to collect goodies and a chaperone must accompany every two children. Participants are asked to bring along items to donate to foster families. For details and to RSVP, call (770) 261-1776.

And what celebration is complete without food? All over metro Atlanta, restaurants offer special deals for Easter. For example, Park Tavern, located in midtown at 500 10^th Street NE (404-249-0001), offers a special for Easter brunch or dinner. An assortment of foods is available for adults at $19.50 and children $9.50. And Livingston's, also in midtown, serves an all-day brunch on Easter for adults at $29.00 and 12.95 for children under twelve.

These are a few of many things to do and places to go in celebration of Easter, here in Atlanta. For families, couples or singles, there's much to enjoy.

Sources:
http://festivals.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=66

http://www.easteregghuntsandevents.org/easter.php?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fmansion.georgia.gov/00/channel_modifieddate/0,2096,118193663_134876266,00.html

http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=228&m=16