EASTER EVENTS

AT THE PARK

What: Easter in the Park sponsored by Oakwood Baptist Church.

Where: Wilder Tower in Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, Fort Oglethorpe.

When: 9:30 a.m. today.

Number expected: 5,000.

About the event: Dress for the weather, and bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Live music presented by musicians from Oakwood’s three campuses; message by the Rev. Darrell Henry.

Why it’s become a tradition: “It’s easy and relaxed worship that we can share in the experience as a family.” — Jennifer Gasaway.

AT THE CEMETERY

What: Two sunrise services sponsored by Chattanooga Funeral Home.

Where: Hamilton Memorial Gardens, 5401 Highway 153; Chattanooga Memorial Park, 501 Memorial Drive.

When: 7:30 a.m. at both locations.

About the event: Dress for the weather. Seating is provided at the half-hour service, refreshments are served and there is a white dove release. The Rev. Randy Bell of Lupton Drive Baptist speaks at the Hixson location; the Rev. Samuel Pope of Northside Presbyterian Church presides in Red Bank.

Why it’s become a tradition: In addition to celebrating life after death, the service helps families through the grieving process. “They are able to come back to the cemetery where a loved one is buried and pay additional respect.” — Stephen Pike, vice president of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

AT THE LAKE

What: Sunrise service sponsored by Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Where: Chickamauga Dam, marina boat ramp.

When: 7 a.m. today.

Number expected: Three dozen.

About the event: The service is not just for bikers; spouses, significant others and children are welcome. Message by chapter chaplain. Dress for the weather.

Why it’s become a tradition: “Anybody is welcome. They come by bike or car.” — Gary Scruggs, association president.

AT THE TRADE CENTER

What: Silverdale Baptist Church community worship service.

Where: Chattanooga Convention Center.

When: 10 a.m. today.

Number expected: 3,300.

About the event: Free child care is provided for children through age 5 in adjacent rooms at the convention center. Free parking in the center’s lots.

Why it’s become tradition:

“We started this four years ago so we could have more of a community worship. Our church holds three services each Sunday. This is the one time of year we are all able to worship together along with hundreds of guests.” — Rev. Ken McCoy, executive pastor of Silverdale Baptist.

EASTER FINEST

Dressing to the nines at Easter is a tradition for many churchgoing families. From pastel dresses and bonnets for little girls to trendy fashions for teens and moms, today’s Easter fashions will be colorful, feminine and stylish, experts say.

Little girls: The consensus among designers is that little girls should look like little girls — especially when dressing for Easter church services. Nothing demonstrates that more than ruffles and bows, pastel colors, ankle socks (or tights) and white or black patent shoes. And, for the sake of tradition, a frilly white Easter bonnet can top off the ensemble.

Tweens and teens:

Geometrical and floral prints are topping the list in dresses and skirts. Baby-doll cuts, shirtdresses or ruffled blouses with a skirt are also popular styles for young ladies.

Moms: The empire dress, a favorite style in the late 1960s, is topping the must-have list for women this spring. The highwaisted silhouette has been updated to hug the body, lying close to the stomach with no gathers beneath the bustline. Prints will be geometric, and color blocking in two tones, bright colors and ribbon-tied waistlines will be popular.

EGG HUNTS

Here’s a sample of the Easter egg hunts scheduled for today:

Chattanooga Church, 6178 Adamson Circle, following 8:30 a.m. worship service and breakfast (ages 2 through fifth grade).

Duncan Park Baptist Church, 1617 Glowmont Drive, following 11 a.m. service.

Hamilton Life Church,

Camp Jordan, following 10:30 a.m. service (through age 12).

Pilgrim Congregational Church,

400 Glenwood Drive, 12:05 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 7555 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road, following 10 a.m. service.

Stuart Heights Baptist,

Coolidge Park, 9 a.m. (ages 1 to fifth grade).

DINING OUT

Easter Sunday is always a big day for eating out. If you’re planning on dining at one of Chattanooga’s restaurants today and haven’t made reservations yet, there still may be time.

Thanksgiving is the biggest day of the year for special dinners at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, followed by Easter, said Julie Dodson, director of marketing.

“We’ll have a bunny and hand out candy, so it’s still worthwhile trying to call for reservations,” she said. Here are a few places to try that will be offering buffets and meals that go beyond their traditional menus.

Broad Street Grille (inside The Chattanoogan), 1201 Broad St. Phone: 424-3700. Back Inn Cafe (in the Bluff View Art District), 412 E. Second St. Phone: 265-5033.

Chattanooga Choo-Choo,

1400 Market St. Phone: 266-5000. Eleven (inside Doubletree Hotel), 407 Chestnut St. Phone: 756-5150. Porter’s Steakhouse (at the Sheraton Read House). 827 Broad St. Phone: 643-1240.

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