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March 5 - March 18, 2016
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‘Egg-citing’ family Easter events abound By Alison Stanton
Easter is early this year, falling on Sunday, March 27. Fortunately, the City of Chandler, as well as attractions and restaurants around the area, have planned festive Easter activities that are ideal for the whole family. For example, hop on down the bunny trail to these spring-tastic events: Family Easter Celebration The City of Chandler is hosting its annual Family Easter Celebration on Saturday, March 26. The event, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Snedigar Sportsplex in Chandler, will include Easter Egg Scrambles, a family Easter basket giveaway, photos with the Easter Bunny, inflatable rides, games and more. Stephanie Feldaverd, recreation coordinator of special events, said the 36th annual Family Easter Celebration packs One of the most popular events at the Family Easter Celebration at the Snedigar Sportsplex is the Easter Egg a lot of fun into three hours, and that Scramble, where kids up to age 9 can collect colorful plastic eggs filled with candy. Submitted photo around 3,000 people come out every year to celebrate. Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort receives an ice chest filled with Easter “The most popular parts of the event To accommodate the different items, sports ball, board game, outdoor are the Easter Bunny pictures, Easter Egg schedules of local families, Crowne Plaza activities, candies, a $50 Grimaldi’s Gift hunt and the crafts and games areas that San Marcos Golf Resort is hosting an Card and more.” the City offers along with our vendors and Easter brunch on Sunday, March 27, with Feldaverd said admission to the Family the family Easter basket giveaway,” she seatings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easter Celebration is free, with minimal said. Executive Chef Aaron Geister and charges for some of the interactive To prevent older kids from accidentally his culinary team will serve up a variety children’s activities and photos with the bumping into little ones, Feldaverd said of Easter fare including cold items like Easter Bunny. the Easter Egg Scramble is divided into domestic and imported cheeses, peel-and“In addition to the four age groups: 0 to 2, eat shrimp with Bloody Mary cocktail egg hunts, there will be 3 to 4, 5 to 6 and 7 to 9. sauce, assorted seasonal fruit, fresh citrus information booths, “If parents have smoked salmon with capers, egg, red displays, art and takemore than one child, onion and chef dressing and much more. home crafts, interactive we ask them to go to Hot items include orange and fennel amusements and the field with the oldest performances,” she said. glazed natural Atlantic salmon, assorted child if they want to quiches, springtime vegetables, crispy“It is such a great keep them together,” roasted red baby potatoes and more. family-friendly event she said. Chef-attended stations will offer and start of the holiday The scramble, which maple and ginger ale glazed ham with weekend.” starts at 10:30 a.m., roasted peach marmalade and herb and The Snedigar features 12,000 candygarlic crusted prime rib of beef au jus and Sportsplex is located filled Easter eggs. The creamed horseradish. at 4500 S. Basha Rd., coloring contest is Desserts include banana-raisin bread Chandler. For more also a popular event, pudding with chopped pecans and information, call (480) Feldaverd said. To be chocolate layer cake. Cost is $44.95 per 782-2735 or visit www. entered in the contest, adult and $16.95 for kids 3 and up. chandleraz.gov/specialFeldaverd said kids Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort is events. can print off a flier located at 1 San Marcos Pl., Chandler. For on the City’s website reservations, call (480) 857-4401 or visit Easter brunch or pick up one at a www.sanmarcosresort.com. Families can enjoy Chandler community or delicious food on the recreation facility, color shaded patio at AJ’s Fine IKEA’s Swedish Easter Buffet it in, and turn it by A young girl is proud of her finds during a Families can make the short drive to Foods in Chandler on past Easter Egg Scramble at the Family Easter March 18 for judging. Tempe and enjoy Paskbord, a Swedish Easter Sunday morning. Celebration in Chandler. The event also The winners of the smorgasbord buffet at IKEA. The all-youFrom 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. features photos with the Easter Bunny, games, coloring contest, which can-eat buffet on Friday, March 18, will choose from a variety and an Easter basket giveaway. Submitted has prizes in several include classic Swedish offerings like of family-friendly Easter photo age groups, will be Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, brunch options like the announced at 9:20 a.m., smoked salmon, Swedish ham and more. breakfast plate with eggs, potatoes, fruit Feldaverd said. Seating times are 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and two bacon or sausage links for $6.99 “The coloring contest winners receive and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets to the or Belgian waffles with butter for $3.99 or an Easter basket filled with an egg coloring buffet are $12.99 per adult or $2.99 with fresh berries and whipped cream for kit, chocolate bunny, and a coloring for kids 12 and under for IKEA Family $4.99. Made-to-order omelets will also be activity and more,” she said. members, or $16.99 per adult or $4.99 for available. Attendees can also visit the information kids 12 and under for non-IKEA Family The patio will be decorated with pastel booth to enter to win an Easter basket, she members. table covers and centerpieces and AJ’s Fine said. IKEA is located at 2110 W. IKEA Way, Foods will also offer an Easter Egg Hunt “The Golden Egg winners receive a Tempe. For more information, visit www. through its Little Chef’s program; contact sports bag filled with all kinds of Easter ikea.com/us/en/store/tempe/bistro. the store for more details and to register. goodies, outdoor activities, candy and free AJ’s Fine Foods is located at 7131 W. mini golf coupons, a $5 Walmart gift card Ray Rd., Chandler. For more information, and more,” Feldaverd said. call (480) 705-0011 or visit www. “The Family Easter Basket winner ajsfinefoods.com.