Easter is a busy time of year with so many celebrations and festivities taking place at churches throughout Chilton County.

No matter where you live, there will be plenty of opportunities nearby to enjoy the Easter season.

Providence Baptist Church is celebrating its 35th anniversary of its sunrise service that has been a staple within the community since 1981.

According to Providence Pastor Glenn Bonds, a big reunion is planned with people coming back into town that have been involved in the service or the church in the past.

Bonds has been a part of the service for the past 17 years and appreciates the important place that it has maintained in people’s lives over that time.

“Now that they have children or grandchildren, they want make sure that they share the service with them,” Bonds said.

One family had four generations partake in last year’s service. One hundred members are expected to make up this year’s performance cast.

“We will go from the birth of Jesus all the way to his death,” Bonds said. “However, the bulk of our time will be spent on the resurrection.”

Attendees are expected to come from Birmingham and the surrounding counties to take part in the service.

A dress rehearsal will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday and the public is encouraged to come.

Finally, the service will be held 6 a.m. and last about an hour.

There will be a moment at the end of the service, as the crowd and cast members are asked to embrace God.

The other Easter tradition is the egg hunts, which have become a fabric of the holiday for children of all ages.

Lomax Assembly of God has added a unique twist with an egg hunt being held at night for the second straight year.

“People have a lot going on during the days leading up to Easter,” Lomax New Children Pastor Chris Gray said.

The egg hunt will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Goose Pond Park.

A mixture of glow in the dark and regular eggs will be used according Chris Gray, New Children Pastor at Lomax.

Over 17,000 eggs have been gathered for the hunt and all children are asked to bring a flashlight as well as their baskets.

“It went over huge last year,” Lomax Senior Pastor Donna Calhoun said. “Hopefully we’re overly prepared.”

For more Easter events in the area, see below:

•March 25: At noon, Clanton First United Methodist Church will host a Good Friday service and light lunch. Worshipers can come for the service and lunch and be back at work at 1 p.m.

•March 26: Clanton Church of God will hold an Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 10 a.m. The church is located at 700 15th Ave. N. in Clanton. There will be food, fellowship and fun. Kids of all ages can register to win door prizes.

•March 26: Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church will host a kids egg hunt from noon until 2 p.m.

•March 27: Maplesville United Methodist Church will host an Easter Sunrise Service beginning at 6 a.m. Breakfast will be served following the event. For more information, call (641) 351-8897. The church is located at 220 Railroad St. in Maplesville.

•March 27: Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church will host the 60th annual Easter Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. Breakfast will be served after the service. Everyone is welcome to attend.

•March 27: Clanton First United Methodist Church will host Easter celebration in all services beginning with the traditional at 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. and contemporary at 9:30 a.m.