Some holidays are simple. On Thanksgiving, people eat turkey. On St. Patrick's Day, they wear green. And on Halloween, they put on scary costumes.
But Easter is a holiday with options. You can celebrate the religious side of the holiday, focus on traditional family activities such as egg hunts, or feast at a brunch buffet.
A couple of the most popular events already are sold out, but with some diligent computer work and a little patience, you might pick up someone else's canceled reservation.
Here are 10 local favorites:
Howarth Park, at 630 Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa, offers a day of fun for the very young, with egg hunts for ages 3 and younger at 10 and 10:45 a.m. Saturday, April 19, and for ages 4-5 at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $6 per tot, and the kids need to bring their own baskets. You must register in advance at 543-3737 or Finley Community Center, 2060 West College Ave., Santa Rosa. Info: santa-rosa.ca.us.
B.R. Cohn Winery hosts an Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at 15000 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. The schedule: 10-10:15 a.m., ages 3 and under; 10:30–10:45 a.m., ages 4-6; 11–11:15 a.m., ages 7 and older. Food will be available from the Ultra Crepes food truck. Info: 938-4064, ext. 124; brcohn.com.
The sold-out Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Celebration at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville will give 500 children, ages 12 and younger, the chance to hunt for eggs containing prizes at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19. The event is a benefit for the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Info: 857-1438, francisfordcoppolawinery.com.
Bundle up in warm clothes for Santa Rosa Memorial Park's annual Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 20, at 1900 Franklin Ave., Santa Rosa, with Pastor Zach Vestnys of Calvary Chapel in Petaluma. Info: 542-1580, srmp.org.
Sold out as of last week, the annual Hunt for the Hare celebration, including two seatings for brunch, a choice of two tour times, and two quests for the park's costumed rabbit character, returns Sunday, April 20, to the Safari West wildlife preserve, 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa. Info: 579-2551, safariwest.com.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn will stage a children's quest for eggs at noon Sunday, April 20, with an Easter buffet served in the resort's dining room, Sant?(939-2415), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma. The resort's Big 3 restaurant (938-9000, ext. 2410) serves brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Sant?buffet costs $99 for adults; $49 for children ages 5-12; free for children 4 and younger. Big 3 will offer an a la carte menu. Info: fairmont.com.
The Ramekins culinary school and events center in Sonoma offers a seasonal brunch with waffle and omelet stations, where you choose your own ingredients and toppings, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 20. There also will be activities for kids, including face painting and cookie decorating. Ramekins is at 450 W. Spain St. The event costs $55 for adults, $25 for children. Registration: 933-0450; info: ramekins.com.
Children ages 3-12 can search for candy-filled eggs at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 20, in the meadow at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood. Free admission, $8 parking fee. Reservations: sugarloaf@uccr.org or 833-6084.
Visit Cline Family Cellars in Sonoma for its annual Easter Sunday Picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20. Reserve a table for up to eight people and the winery will put on a tablecloth and throw in a bottle of red or white wine. The cost is $40 per picnic table, with just 30 tables available. Reservations: sfoster@clinecellars.com. Info: 940-4000, www.clinecellars.com.
The Spoonbar restaurant, at 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, will serve a three-course Easter brunch, including smoked trout, onion and Swiss chard quiche and maple bacon, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 20, for $40 per person. Info: 433-7222, spoonbar.com.
You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. See his ARTS blog at arts.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.
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