Last year’s Idyllwild Community Center Easter Egg hunt was at the ICC site. Because of construction at the ICC, this year’s hunt is happening at the Riverside County Park on Saturday, April 20, starting at 10 a.m. File photo

Easter promises new life, with a message of optimism and hope. Passover, with its message that with God’s help no difficulty is insurmountable, celebrates resilience in times of darkness.

For Idyllwild the past year has provided challenges that continue to affect daily life. First the Cranston Fire in July blackened much of the mountain, burning the area around Inspiration Point where the annual Easter Sunrise Service is held. This Easter tradition will be held there again at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 21, jointly sponsored by the Idyllwild Community Presbyterian Church, Idyllwild Bible Church and Calvary Chapel of Mountain Center. It may be chilly, but intimations of green are beginning to dot the charred landscape, and hope and optimism will be part of the celebration.

Record rainfall and snow followed in February damaging mountain infrastructure including highways 74 and 243, restricting travel to and from Idyllwild. 

Both Easter and Passover offer the promise of relief from pain and difficulty and hope for a brighter path forward.

Temple Har Shalom of Idyllwild is celebrating a community Passover Seder at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 19, at the Idyllwild Community Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level. Both Jews and non-Jews are welcome.

Local churches are celebrating Easter, including St. Hugh’s Episcopal with a festive Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m., Sunday April 21; Idyllwild Assembly of God at 10 a.m. at Town Hall with kids’ Easter activities and crafts and special guest musicians; Idyllwild Community Presbyterian Church at 9:30 a.m.; Idyllwild Bible Church at 9 and 10:45 a.m.; and Calvary Chapel at 10 a.m.  Check church directories for other services and times including Good Friday services.

For children, the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held by the Idyllwild Community Center at the County Park Meadow, County Park Playground Road at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. The ICC site is currently closed for construction, hence the new location. The Easter Bunny will be there for photos with children of all ages. Children who find “Special Eggs” will receive a basket of Easter goodies. Separate egg hunts will be held for toddlers to age 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 years and up, and for all those “Over the Hill.”

Patronize local restaurants and shops and give them support after the challenges of fire, rain, snow and road closures have negatively affected their business.  Note that La Casita and Café Aroma will be closed on Easter Sunday.