There are very few places on earth that can trade church pews for beach sand at sunrise to celebrate Easter. Marathon’s lineup of services and events on the weekend of April 3-5 includes a mix of oceanside services, traditional worship and family-friendly egg hunts and dining options across the island. Whether it’s entertainment for little ones or a laid-back meal with family and friends that you seek, check out one of many restaurants and businesses throughout the Middle Keys with special events and food on deck for the holiday weekend.
Celebrate Easter, on the beach or in the pews:
- Pastor Larry White of St. Paul AME Church will lead a Relay for Christ starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 3 at Iglesia Evangelica Unidos En Amor, 12680 Overseas Hwy. Walkers are invited to join him as he carries a cross through Marathon praying for churches and the community. For more information, call 786-554-1285.
- All are invited to a community sunrise service, held at 7 a.m. at Sombrero Beach on Easter Sunday, April 5. Attendees should bring chairs or blankets.
- St. Columba Episcopal Church will host Palm Sunday services at 9 a.m. (traditional) and 11 a.m. (contemporary) on March 29, a Maundy Thursday service at 5 p.m. on April 2; Good Friday service at noon on April 3; an Easter vigil service at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 4; and Easter Sunday services at 9 (traditional service) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service).
- The Marathon Community Church will hold a Good Friday service on Friday, April 3 at 5:30 p.m. and an Easter worship service in the sanctuary at 3010 Overseas Highway on Easter Sunday at 10 a.m.
- Martin Luther Chapel will host a Palm Sunday service on March 29 at 10 a.m., a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. on April 2, a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. on April 3, an Easter sunrise service at Curry Hammock State Park at 6:30 a.m. and an Easter service at the chapel at 10 a.m.
- Kirk of the Keys will host a free Palm Sunday brunch after its service on March 29. Service on Easter Sunday will begin at 9 a.m., with an egg hunt immediately following the service.
- San Pablo Catholic Church will host Palm Sunday masses at 4 p.m. on March 28 and 8 and 10 a.m. on March 29, with a Spanish mass at noon the same day. A bilingual Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper is scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 2. There will be a Liturgy of Good Friday on April 3 at noon and 6 p.m. An Easter vigil mass is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. On Easter Sunday, the church will celebrate mass at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. with a Spanish mass at noon. An Easter egg hunt will take place Sunday at 11 a.m.
Complete the festivities:
- The city of Marathon’s Parks and Recreation Department will host an Easter Funfest on Thursday, March 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sombrero Beach. The event includes games, contests, an Easter Bunny appearance, snacks and other goodies. Be on the lookout for 20 special golden eggs hidden throughout the event – each one wins a special prize. The event is free and open to the public.
- The Marathon Rotary Club will host its annual Easter egg hunt at the Marathon Rotary Park on Saturday, April 4 at 10 a.m. The Easter bunny will be present for photos as kids hunt for thousands of eggs.
- Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters will hold its annual Easter egg hunt for children ages 12 and under on Saturday, April 4 from 9 a.m. until all eggs are found (limit 5 per child). The hunt is free with general admission or annual membership.
- Hop on over to the Island Fish Co. at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 5 to celebrate with the Easter Bunny and enjoy a day filled with Easter egg hunts and fun for kids of all ages.
- Million Air Florida Keys will host an Easter Hangar Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4 at 11 a.m. Join the Million Air staff at the hangar at 8800 Overseas Highway for an Easter egg hunt filled with planes, fun and festive surprises.
- Join the Rhum House on Grassy Key for an Easter brunch – a relaxed day with fresh seafood and chef-curated specials designed for sharing. Reservations are highly recommended, available at therhumhouse.com.
- Sunset Grill & Raw Bar will host its 15th annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza with an all-day barbecue and pool and beach party on Easter Sunday. The Easter Bunny will pay a visit as the restaurant hosts a kids’ Easter egg hunt at 2 p.m. with poolside games, prizes and a bounce house. DJ Trae Dae will provide the jams from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Hawks Cay Resort will host a waterfront Easter brunch on Sunday, April 5 with seatings at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dine on a raw bar, a farmer’s market station, omelet station and carving station, or enjoy breakfast favorites and house specialties plus assorted desserts. The resort’s on-site restaurant, Salt + Ash, will have a special Sunday brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an Easter dinner tasting menu from 5 to 9:30 p.m. For reservations, visit hawkscay.com/happenings and saltandashflakeys.com.
Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort will host an Easter Sunday celebration beginning at 2 p.m. on April 5. Enjoy an Easter egg hunt, cookie decorating at TJ’s Tiki Bar, a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny and Easter gift bags for kids alongside themed cocktails for adults.
