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MARCH 28-APRIL 3, 2018 UCW 13
Hop in the Park: An Easter festival to remember
by MATTHEW SKIPPER
Six years ago at Epicenter Church, the
topic came up (again) about how there
were no local child-friendly activities
during the Easter season. That same
year, the congregation decided to hold
an Easter egg hunt and invite the entire
city. Hop in the Park was born. It was
a huge success. So much so that the
church decided to host one every year.
This year, Hop in the Park will be held in
Festival Park Friday, March 30.
"We knew after the wild success of our
inaugural event that each year we would
have to step things up," the event website
said. "We have more than tripled the amount of
food and events since the first event in 2013."
Last year, 30,000 people attended Hop
in the Park, a number the event expects to
exceed this year.
"Everyone is invited to attend, you do not
have to be a particular resident or belong to
any particular religious group," according
to w w w.hopinthepark.com. "We welcome
everyone! This event is rooted in a safe
place for children to come have a great time
and celebrate the Easter holiday."
While egg hunting is fun, Hop in the Park
also includes snacks like popcorn, cotton
candy, hotdogs and pizza.
There will also be carnival rides, inf lata-
bles, live music, a movie shown on a giant
screen, and the Easter Bunny will skydive
into the park.
The festival runs from 6-10 p.m. Hop in
the Park is an event supported entirely by
donations and volunteers, and tickets are
free. Visit hopinthepark.com for more infor-
mation about registering for tickets, donat-
ing or volunteering.
EVENTS
MATTHEW SKIPPER, Contribut-
ing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@
upandcomingweekly.com.
910-484-6200.
Hop in the Park is a free Easter egg hunt and festival. The entire com-
munity is invited. Photos via www.hopinthepark.com.
