An eggceptional time of year

By Sheree Hoddinett 

It’s time to hop to it, Easter is just around the corner.  

Easter is that magical time of year when chocolate eggs become an acceptable breakfast (yes please!), bunnies are popular….well one in particular anyway and families gather to celebrate joy, renewal and the simple pleasure of being together. Whether you’re in it for the deep-rooted traditions, the egg hunts or just the excuse to eat an unreasonable amount of chocolate, Easter is a time of year for everyone.  

Some Easter family fun If you’re looking for something to do across the Easter long weekend, check out a couple of big and fun-filled local events. 

• Good Friday Easter Carnival  - proudly sponsored by Morayfield Shopping Centre is on April 18 at the Caboolture Showgrounds (140 Beerburrum Road, Caboolture) from 11am-6.30pm. This year’s event will feature free rides, free face painting, free laser tag, an animal farm (also free to visit), local musicians, spectacular fireworks and of course, the fluffy-tailed Easter Bunny himself. So make sure you remind the kids to keep an eye out for him! Admission to the carnival is $14 for adults (16 years and older) and $8 for children aged 4 -15 years. Children under 3 years of age can enter free of charge. Please note that booking fees also apply. To purchase tickets, please visit https://cabooltureshowgrounds.com.au/events/ 

• For an Easter Sunday (April 20) full of fun, head along to the Sandstone Point Hotel. With festivities kicking off from 10am, there will be live entertainment, market stalls, a petting zoo, an ultimate Easter egg hunt (registration is essential and closes 5pm April 16) and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Entry to the event is free, but some activities may charge a fee. Check out all the details at https://sandstonepointhotel.com.au/event/easter-eggstravaganza/ 

Chocolate eggs – the treat of all treats Let’s be honest—one of the best things about Easter is the chocolate. Supermarkets start stocking their shelves months in advance, tempting even the most disciplined among us (not me, that’s for sure!). There are small eggs, giant eggs, eggs filled with caramel, bunny shaped chocolate and so much more, it’s every chocolate lover’s dream! The great thing about Easter eggs is that they have no rules. You can eat them before breakfast, after breakfast or as breakfast, which, let’s face it, many of us do at this time of year. And, of course, there’s the annual debate: do you savour your chocolate egg slowly, breaking off little pieces at a time or do you demolish it in one sitting?  

The Easter egg hunt One of the most exciting parts of Easter, especially for kids (and those super competitive adults among us), is the Easter egg hunt. The joy of running around the house or yard, searching for hidden treasures—it’s like a mini treasure hunt with the best delicious reward at the end. Every family has its own style of egg hunt. Some parents play fair, scattering eggs evenly so every child gets their share. Others take a more survival of the fittest approach, letting the kids scramble in a chocolate-fuelled frenzy. Of course, there’s always one family member (usually me, haha!) who "accidentally" eats an egg meant for the kids. Hey, all is fair in a game, right?! 

Enjoying another treat – hot cross buns  These days, there’s about every flavour under the sun and I’m still not sure how pizza shapes came into the mix, but I like to stick with the traditional and yummy hot cross buns. Toast them lightly under the grill, add some jam and cream and it’s time to devour! 

Attending a service For those in the community who have a deeper connection to Easter, this is the time of year they go to church. Many services are held on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Check with your local church for service times.  

At its core, Easter is about togetherness. Whether you celebrate for religious reasons or simply enjoy the fun traditions, the best part of Easter is spending it with loved ones. It’s a day of fun, relaxing, good food, a bit of chaos and plenty of chocolate-covered smiles. So grab a chocolate egg (or three), enjoy the sunshine and embrace the simple joys of Easter—because nothing brings people together quite like laughter, some love and a whole lot of chocolate! 

However you choose to spend your time this Easter, please ensure it’s a safe one! From all of the team here at The Local, we wish you all a very Happy Easter!