Community Easter Sunrise Service was presented for the 60th year at Siesta Key Beach by Pine Shores Presbyterian Church at sunrise on Sunday morning. March 27, 2016; Carla Varisco photo

Soaking up the Son on Siesta Key, and the winter exodus

Carlos Munoz |
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Hundreds of local residents felt there way through the dark to arrive at Siesta Key beach well before the sun came up to celebrate the 60th annual Community Easter Sunrise Service.

Families unfurled beach towels, lawn chairs or just sat in the cool sand of one of the best-rated beaches in the world to for a church service hosted by Pine Shores Presbyterian Church. If you did not have a flashlight, one was provided for you, but most people used the blue glow on their camera phones to scout a good spot to view the service.

Harvest Spring Fling 2016:

With a sprinkle of culture at the DeSoto Heritage Festival:

When Easter comes the stores close but the animals don’t care. Area museums remained open so visitors could enjoy the fuzzy, furry faces of sea animals:

Snooty!

What do Snooty and the Easter Bunny have in common? ❤️ Carrots! The Museum is open from noon – 5 pm today.

Posted by South Florida Museum on Sunday, March 27, 2016

Snooty. (CREDIT: SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM)

Snooty. (CREDIT: SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM)

 

If cute manatees don’t do it for you, you were probably just riding around in your car all weekend, like these people at the Peace River Car Club’s 42nd Annual Gilchrist Park Show in Punta Gorda.

See the photos from the car show here: http://galleries.heraldtribune.com/gallery/370722#/0

The cruise didn’t stop at the city limits though for some local residents. Members of the mennonite community said goodbye to friends as the winter exodus begins:

See Herald-Tribune photo snapper Rachel O’Hara’s video here:

Oooo, scary clouds:

Happy Monday!

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