2024 Easter Worship Services - 2

Easter is nearing; more egg hunts and similar events on the way

STAFF REPORT

Easter holiday is just around the corner; churches, community members and local businesses in the Killeen-Fort Cavazos area will be hosting egg hunts, family brunches and similar events within the upcoming week.

Here is a list of a few Easter-themed events that have gained social-media attention from local residents:

MARCH 24

Killeen resident Chantel Hodge will be hosting a children’s Easter Picnic Potluck & Egg Hunt event at 11 a.m. The event will be hosted at Conder Park, 810 Conder Street, in Killeen, and will include a Easter egg hunt for the kids Hodge asks that attendees bring snacks to share and bag of filled Easter eggs. If the weather is bad, it will be moved indoors. Over a few dozen people are interested on Facebook.

MARCH 29

100 people are interested in this event. Khanetic Images will be hosting a free Easter Escapades event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 308 E. Avenue D, in downtown Killeen. There will be food and dessert trucks, a chalk art challenge, Easter bunny pictures, goodie bags, raffle prizes and much more. Vendor and truck spots are still open, go to www.khaneticimages.com/event-tickets to learn more and RSVP pictures with the Easter bunny.

A Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Bingo event will be located at 810 N. W.S. Young Drive, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be egg hunting, rounds of bingo with prizes, treats, drinks and snacks Over 250 people are interested in the event and tickets can be bought from the Eventbrite website if you search “Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Bingo” and set location to Killeen.

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Fit4Mom Temple-Belton-Salado will be hosting a FIT4MOM Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. The event will be located at Heritage Park, 1502 Park Avenue, in Belton, and it will provide fun for moms and their toddlers. There will be a toddler Easter egg hunt for ages six and under, and a free stroller strides class at 9:30 a.m. Around 30 people are interested in the event on Facebook, for sponsorship opportunities contact danahalliburton@fit4mom.com.

H2 Realty Team will be hosting a free and public Easter Egg Crawl event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event takes place in Downtown Belton, 121 N East Street, and attendees will get the opportunity to “crawl” through vibrant local shops, restaurants, small businesses and boutiques. Each location will be providing visitors with treats and refreshments Currently over 460 people are interested in attending the event.

MARCH 30

Local culinary school and restaurant

Jesus, portrayed by Nicholas McDaniel, li s his hands in the air as he performs during last year ’s annual Easter pageant at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton.

Let’s Eat Texas will be hosting a Easter Weekend Brunch at the restaurant, 207 E. Avenue D, in Killeen. The event will provide a brunch for attendees including French toast, egg Benedict, mimosa flights, fresh pastries and more. Attendees must make prior reservations between the 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon brunch and tickets can be bought from their Facebook page at Let’s Eat Texas

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The Copperas Cove Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the 2024 Copperas Cove Easter Egg Round Up from 10 a.m. to noon. The free event will take place at the Copperas Cove City Park, 1206 W. Avenue B, and will include pictures with the Easter bunny, Easter egg hunts and much more. Almost 600 people are interested in the event; for more infor mation contact Ashley Wilson at 254-542-2719 or awilson@copperascovetx.gov. Pictures with the Easter bunny will be from 10:15 a.m. to noon and due to the amount of kids attending the event, the egg hunts

UMHB to host 85th annual Easter Pageant on Wednesday a ernoon

BELTON — The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will host its 85th annual Easter Pageant on Wednesday, with performances at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. in front of Luther Memorial on the UMHB campus. All three performances will be free and open to the public

The pageant will be available live online on the UMHB Facebook page and at www umhb.edu/live.

The Easter Pageant chronicles moments from the Gospel story, including Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and Christ’s trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This event has become a tradition for many Central Texas families and is expected to attract thousands of visitors

Seating is available on a first-come, firstserve basis. Pageant organizers said the 5:30 p.m. show is usually the most popular, so visitors are encouraged to attend earlier performances if possible. Audiences are also encouraged to bring sunscreen, as umbrellas are prohibited.

The production is student-led and features a cast of hundreds of students and children and grandchildren of university students, faculty, and staff. Each year, UMHB President Dr. Randy O’Rear selects a student to direct the pageant and two students to play the key roles of Jesus and Mary. The selection of the two roles is based on their strong Christian faith and character Zoey Holder, a junior psychology major from Dallas, has served as this year’s pageant director. Aynslee Barber and Jacob

Carter have served as Holder’s assistant directors.

Barber is a senior psychology and sociology major from Lake Jackson, and Carter is a senior transformational development major from Buda. Dillon Moore is portraying Jesus this year. He is a senior Christian studies major from Adkins. Victoria Hernandez, a senior biology major from Robstown, is taking on the role of Mary.

Olyvia Owen, a freshman church music major from Lake Travis, will sing “In the Name of the Lord.” The song “Arise My Love” will be performed by Avalyn James, senior general studies major from Killeen, and Ethan Leftwich, sophomore Christian ministries major from Rockport. Benjamin Perkinson, a senior vocal performance major from Fort Worth, and Joshua McMiller, a sophomore vocal performance major from Leesburg, Florida, will sing “Joy and Sorrow.” The Associated Press

will be split up by age group and times. The times are as follows: Ages 0 to 2 and adaptive will be at 10 a.m. on Field 3 (line up at 9:45 a.m.); Ages 3 to 4 will be at 10:15 a.m. on Fields 1 and 2 (line up at 10 a.m.); Ages 5 to 6 will be at 10:30 a.m. on Field 3 (line up at 10:15 a.m.); Ages 7 to 8 will be at 10:45 a.m. on Field 1 and 2 (line up at 10:30 a.m.); Ages 9 to 10 will be at 11 a.m. on Field 3 (line up at 10:45 a.m.)

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A free Easter Egg Hunt event will be hosted by community members Shell Bee Lee, Kevin Maitland and Kara Lowry Ballard, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Long Branch Park, 1101 Branch Drive, in Killeen. The outdoor event will included food, music, games and egg hunts. Over

MARCH 31 Joker’s IceHouse Bar and Grill is hosting a Brunch Buffet and Egg Hunt event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7900 S. Clear Creek, in Killeen. All ages are welcomed and egg hunting will begin at noon. Attendees are asked to being their own baskets Manna Church in Killeen is hosting a Easter Egg Hunt event on Easter Day. The event will be taking place at 301 Dimple Street, in Killeen, from 5 to 7 p.m. Expected at the event will be face painting, food and drinks, bounce houses and of course, a Easter egg hunt. “This event is open to all members of the community, feel free to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join in the fun!” wrote the events page on Facebook. Attendees are expected to bring their own baskets for the hunt.

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