The Annual Winter Park Easter Egg Hunt has been cancelled again this year due to COVID-19 concerns; however, the city plans to hold a series of Easter parades traveling various routes throughout Winter Park neighborhoods. Parades will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 3.
Traditionally, children from around the Winter Park community have gathered over the past 65 years to look for more than 14,000 eggs sprinkled throughout Central Park and West Meadow on the Saturday before Easter. Due to safety precautions accompanying the pandemic, the Easter Bunny will be visiting kids in various neighborhoods on three separate, small parades.
Winter Park City Manager Randy Knight recently gave a statement regarding the shift in Easter celebration plans as 2021 marks the second year the City has cancelled the event. “Winter Park’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt is the city’s longest running community event. COVID-19 can stop us from congregating in large numbers, but it cannot stop us from celebrating. We just need to do it in a different way, from a safe distance,” Knight said. “We look forward to celebrating in our traditional way again in May 2022.”
During the parade, residents will be able to watch the four-car parade safely from their homes and driveways. Additionally, locals can wave to the Easter Bunny as the Winter Park Police, Fire–Rescue, and Parks & Recreation departments escort the parade along its pre-planned trails.
“Peeps” who would like to see where the Easter Bunny will be during the parade can follow the maps and times for the Bunny Trail Routes online, or call (407) 599-3342 for more information.