The Central Coast’s Inclusive Easter Holiday Celebrations And Events
Jarrod Zinn
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The northern portions of the Central Coast came alive with Easter celebrations this weekend.
Many are celebrating with an all-inclusive attitude.
At Pismo Beach, community members have been keeping watch over a simple driftwood cross someone set up a few days ago, and now it’s adorned with simple gifts and embellishments.
Locals say some people have been coming out overnight to keep watch, attempting to keep it up through the Easter weekend, despite some others trying to take it down.
“Certainly for events like this where we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and we get to do that in a space that I am confident He is proud of,” says Jacqui Banta, the event’s coordinator.
Saturday morning in Santa Maria, Children’s Resource & Referral Of Santa Barbara County in partnership with the Banta family of Orcutt held the 14th annual special needs easter egg hunt.
“This is a great place,” says Jeff Banta, the event’s co-director. “It’s a very sensory supportive place for people that need to have support in that area. We have various vendors here, Parents Helping Parents, Central Coast Autism Center is here as well.
Over 600 people attended this year and collected 12,000 eggs, complete with colorful helium balloons.
“This is our first year in Santa Maria, therefore, the Santa Maria Police Department is participating this year,” says Sgt. Oscar Corral with the Santa Maria Police Department. “We put a booth together. We have a little spinning wheel that basically allows them to win a prize.”
Event organizers say Easter weekend often falls at the beginning of Autism Awareness Month, and participants look forward to this event every year.
“I came here to celebrate the wonderful day of Easter,” says William Ente, a Children’s Resource & Referral Facilities Attendant. “This is actually my first time. I am very excited.”
And, of course, what kind of Easter holiday would it be without a chance to meet the Easter Bunny “herself?”
“We get to meet and visit with special needs families all up and down the coast,” says Jacqui Banta. “They come from as far as Paso, down to Santa Barbara, and we meet in the middle. And it’s our favorite day of the year.”
The legendary lagomorph showed up for photo opportunities before the event was over.
“I wish everyone hopefully a happy Easter and I hope everyone finds the magic Easter egg,” says Ente.
Additionally, Saturday is the last day this year for photos with the Easter Bunny at Santa Maria Town Center Mall.
You can get a photo taken until 8:00pm.
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