Easter 2021: Egg Hunts, Services And Meals In And Near Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Easter celebrations across the country and in Lakewood again will look different in 2021 as traditional events such as egg hunts, religious services and restaurant deals will go on virtually as well as in person.

Most religious services went virtual during the Easter season last year, when the coronavirus pandemic was still fairly new and most states remained under strict shutdown orders in mid-April. This year, there’s more of a combination of virtual and in-person services taking place with the pandemic having passed the one-year mark.

In Lakewood, churches are offering a mixture of virtual and in-person services for Holy Week and Easter. The in-person services have limited capacity and require people to register ahead of time. Livestreams or recordings are available for those not able to attend the services in person.

Many major American archdioceses, such as in Chicago, will continue to hold virtual services that will be streamed throughout Holy Week, which includes the Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday holidays leading up to Easter.

Good Friday, on April 2 this year, marks the death of Jesus Christ. Easter, two days later, celebrates the time when he was resurrected. The Sunday holiday always occurs on the Sunday after the first full moon of spring, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Religious traditions on Good Friday include periods of silence and fasting for many Christians, prominently in the Catholic faith.

One of the most celebrated Easter traditions outside of church is the Easter egg hunt, many of which were canceled last year but will return in some form in 2021.

In Seaside Heights, the tradition of little kids shrieking as they dig in the beach sand looking for plastic eggs has been replaced this year with a virtual hunt on the boardwalk. Parents can register their kids, visit Easter eggs in participating businesses on noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and scan the QR codes for clues for an online entry. Families will receive coupons redeemable for prizes and special offers. Take a photo with your family with an egg clue poster to be entered in a special drawing. More information is on the Exit 82 website.

If you're looking for photos with the Easter Bunny, Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach will have socially distanced photos from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Jenkinson's South on the beach by Little Mac's.

If you're looking for brunch options on Easter, check out Open Table. There are some spots available for in-person dining, but takeout should be available.