6 Fun Ways to Celebrate Easter in and Around Marion, Illinois

Easter is a fun time filled with egg hunts and delicious meals. If you’re in Marion, Illinois during Easter weekend, there are a variety of fun activities that you can take part in with your family. Jump in your brand new Honda and get ready to travel to one of these six exciting events in and around Marion that you all can enjoy.

Easter Sunrise Service

Consider attending the Easter Sunrise Service at Bald Knob Cross. This 111-foot cross is located in Alto Pass, Illinois, which is about a 45-minute drive from Marion, Illinois. Since 1937, a group of individuals in Southern Illinois gather at the top of Bald Knob Mountain to participate in church service on Easter morning. Each year, the service starts at 6:30 a.m. and lasts for 1 to 2 hours.

Over the last 86 years of the service, more than 300,000 people have attended. This year, you can watch the event online as the service members live-stream it, or you can attend in person, where you can expect over 2,000 people to be there. After the service, you can eat brunch at a variety of food trucks on the site and chat with the other attendees.

Bunny Run 5K

The Bunny Run 5K is a charity race that you can take part in to raise money for a good cause. All money collected from the race goes to The Promise Mission for Marion’s homeless population. The Second Baptist Church in Marion organizes this event each year, and it encourages participants to wear bunny ears and pastel colors during the race. The Easter Bunny may also make an appearance to racers throughout the course. During the 5K, children can participate in fun events, including coloring and Easter crafts.

Children can also take part in the run. They may sign up for the 1-mile fun run or walk. During this race, children and teenagers can go at their own pace to enjoy the course. There are water stands throughout the course to help racers stay hydrated, and awards will be given out at a ceremony after the race. Consider taking part in this run so that you can get in some fun exercise before eating your Easter meal.

Performance by Kaylene Vineyard

Sit back at Pyramid Acres Marina and listen to a talented musical artist on Easter Sunday. Kaylene Vineyard plays guitar and sings country and rock-style music. You can watch her perform at the marina from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Located on Marina Road in Marion, Illinois, you can also explore the beautiful views that the marina has to offer. Bring some chairs, blankets, food and beverages to help you relax while you enjoy the music and scenery.

The Marina’s staff will provide sweet treats to attendees, including baked goods and Easter candy. You can also participate in the Easter egg hunt during the event, where participants can look for eggs throughout the marina.

Marion Egg Hunt

“children sharing Easter eggs” used with permission via Unsplash by Gabe Pierce

The Marion Egg Hunt is a fun event that involves children of all ages. To participate, go to the event’s website and print the Easter egg coloring sheet. You can also choose your own Easter-themed coloring sheet online. After printing it out, you can decorate it using your favorite colors. Try to use bright, vibrant colors so that it’s easy to view from a far distance. Once you finish coloring it, attach the sheet to a front door or window. Individuals who see the sheet can take a picture of it and post it on social media with the hashtag #MarionEggHunt.

The city encourages local businesses to participate by encouraging customers to complete an Easter drawing and placing it on a storefront window. You can look throughout the city to find other coloring sheets. Be sure to look at various windows, doors and front yard signs. This is a great way to discover new places in Marion. Once you find a coloring sheet, snap a picture of it and add it to the website’s map, along with the address that you found it.

Easter extravaganza

At Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center, you can take part in an Easter extravaganza. Visit the location on Easter morning to take part in an exciting egg hunt, where you can look for eggs throughout the health center’s building and property. The Easter Bunny hides over 24,000 eggs on the premises. Each egg contains candy and tickets for prizes. The grand prizes include three bikes. Afterward, you can have a delicious breakfast with the Easter Bunny. While you’re eating, the Easter Bunny may sit with you, give you a high five, or deliver some extra Easter eggs.

The breakfast costs $6 per person, which makes this is an affordable event for the whole family. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, the Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center is about an hour and a half away from Marion, Illinois. The event begins at 8:30 and lasts for three hours. The drive is definitely worth it for the chance to bring home some Easter eggs and enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny.

Eckert’s Country Store and Farms

Enjoy an Easter egg hunt at Eckert’s Country Store and Farms, where the Easter Bunny is known to make an appearance. The fun event has age groups for infants, toddlers and children and it takes place on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. After the egg hunt, you can take photos with the Easter Bunny and have an Easter breakfast.

There are also children’s crafts that involve decorating eggs and coloring Easter-themed pictures. You might enjoy the farm animals and pony rides available at the event. The staff encourages each individual to bring their own eggs to color.

If you find yourself in Marion, Illinois, during Easter weekend, you can choose from several exciting options to celebrate. We’d love to hear how you liked these fun Easter events. If you have attended one of them, contact our team at Ike Honda to let us know.