Easter weekend in Idyllwild won’t be too hot and won’t be too cold. It will be just right — trees blossoming, daffodils coming up all over town and the village rolling out its gracious hospitality with perfect mountain springtime weather.
Easter Sunday is the culmination of Lent and Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and is the apex of the Christian calendar. Holy Week contains three of the most important days for Christians — Maundy or Holy Thursday, remembering the Last Supper or Christ’s last Passover feast with his disciples; Good Friday, commemorating Christ’s crucifixion, passion and death; and Easter, celebrating his resurrection.
A highlight for many locals, and early rising tourists, is the annual Easter Sunrise Service at Inspiration Point at the end of Double View Drive. It begins at 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, March 27, and lasts until 7:30 a.m. It is a non-denominational service hosted by the Community Presbyterian Church, the Idyllwild Bible Church and Crossroads 243 Christian Fellowship. Pastors of each church will have speaking roles. Pastor Wally Boer of Crossroads will deliver this year’s sermon.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Attendees are reminded to bring a chair and blanket. No matter how balmy the day, mountain mornings can be chilly — in the low 40s.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, there is an Easter Egg Hunt on the Idyllwild Community Center site. Youngsters who find a special egg will receive a basketful of goodies. There will also be an Easter Bonnet Contest for age categories: toddler to age 3; ages 4 to 6; ages 7 to 9; ages 10 and up; and “Over the Hill.” The Easter Bunny will be in attendance.
Also on Saturday, American Legion Post 800 Auxiliary will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. on the post grounds at 54360 Marian View Drive. According to Dave Fraser, post adjutant, eggs will be hidden everywhere and the festivities will be overseen by the Easter Bunny.
In Idyllwild, most local churches feature Easter services and some have services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Check church websites and ads in this edition for calendars of times and services during the Easter weekend.
On Thursday, March 24, Temple Har Shalom of Idyllwild will celebrate Purim with a party at the Community Presbyterian Church. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be plentiful. Attendees are asked to bring a food donation for the HELP Center. For more information, email [email protected].
True to Idyllwild’s reputation as an arts town, galleries and art “hot spots” will be open and music will be featured in local restaurants and wine bars. Local restaurants are upping the ante in enhancing Idyllwild’s reputation as a “fine dining” village. Check ads in this edition for restaurant offerings. Reservations are suggested since Easter weekend is a popular time for off-Hill visitors.