Easter is early this year, and all of the island traditions are scheduled and underway for the busy weekend ahead.

Easter is early this year, and all of the island traditions are scheduled and underway for the busy weekend ahead. Easter weekend begins on Good Friday with Stations of the Cross at noon. The stations begin in the courtyard of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, traveling through the downtown area of Boca Grande with leaders and members of all island churches participating in communal prayer. The Easter Egg Hunt will take place the next day on Saturday, April 4 at the Boca Grande Community Center. Activities include egg hunts for ages four and under, five to seven and eight to 11. Arrive by 9:45 a.m. as the hunt will begin at 10 a.m. Beach sunrise service in previous years.           Boca Beacon archive Easter Sunday kicks off early with the annual Ecumenical Sunrise Service. The service will be held at the Gasparilla Island Light, or Range Light, at 7 a.m. All island churches are holding Easter services throughout the day. Lighthouse United Methodist Church will have services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will have an Easter service at 8 a.m. at the 4th Street beach access following the sunrise service. There will be an in-church service at 10 a.m. Additionally, St. Andrew’s is holding a Good Friday service at 1:15 p.m. on April 3 in the church. First Baptist Church has a Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. Our Lady of Mercy has a Good Friday: Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion service at 3 p.m., an 8 p.m. Solemn Easter Vigil on Saturday and Easter Sunday services at 7, 9 and 10:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center.