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11 ways to celebrate Easter in Southern California this weekend
Cardinal Roger Mahony arrives for the annual Blessing of the Animals at El Pueblo Historic Park at Olvera Street on Easter in 2009.
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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Cardinal Roger Mahony sprinkles holy water on a cow at the annual Blessing of the Animals at Olvera Street on Easter in 2009.
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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Easter service at the Hollywood Bowl.
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ericrichardson/Flickr CC
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From egg hunts to brunch and religious services, here's a sampling of Easter celebrations around Southern California this weekend.
Some of these events are outdoors, so watch out for a slight chance of rain Sunday afternoon in parts of Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. Forecasts are sunny for San Bernardino and Riverside counties, according to the National Weather Service. We've also got links to several church live streams.
Los Angeles
1) 83rd Blessing of the Animals at Olvera Street
The Saturday before Easter, bring your dog, cat, horse, snake, rabbit, parrot or any other pet to El Pueblo Historic Park at Olvera Street for the annual Blessing of the Animals. All pets welcome. The Archbishop of Los Angeles will bless the pets and lead a procession.
When: March 30, starts at noon, the procession starts at 2 p.m.
Where: El Pueblo Historic Park at Olvera Street, 125 Paseo De La Plaza Los Angeles, 90012
Info: Facebook event invitation
The Bel Air Presbyterian Church and the Christian Assembly Church are hosting Francis Chan, the best-selling author of "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God" at the Hollywood Bowl's Easter celebration. There will also be a worship choir, orchestra and band. There will also be sign language interpretation available.
When: March 31, Doors open at 9 a.m. Service starts at 11 a.m. and will end at 12:15 p.m.
Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, 90068
Info: Easter at the Bowl
Live Church LA hosts its first annual Easter celebration at L.A. Live, inside the Grammy Museum Theater at 10 a.m. There will also be an egg hunt, bunny photos, face painting and more from noon to 2:30 p.m.
When: March 31, starts at 10 a.m.
Where: Grammy Museum Theater at L.A. Live
Info: Live Church LA
Sponsored message
4) Easter Sunrise Services at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills
Join one of the many Forest Lawn non-denominational sunrise services, including Hollywood Hills, Covina Hills, Coachella, Cypress, Long Beach, Cathedral City and Glendale. The Hollywood Hills services will be held outdoors at the park’s Forecourt of the Birth of Liberty.
When: March 31, starts at 6 a.m.
Where: 6300 Forest Lawn Drive Los Angeles, CA 90068
Info: Forest Lawn
Join the Rev. Bob Andrade of Hope Chapel in San Pedro, the San Pedro Pastors Fellowship and the Bethany Christian Fellowship Worship Team for a sunrise outdoor service at Green Hills Memorial Park in the South Bay area.
When: March 31, gates open at 5 a.m.
Where: Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, 90275
Info: here
Orange County
6) Crystal Cathedral's Easter Worship Service
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Garden Grove's Crystal Cathedral will feature a Sunday Brunch, fellowship group meetings, live music and services in Vietnamese, Korean and Arabic. Hour of Power pastor Bobby Schuller starts the first service at sunrise, 6 a.m. There will be child care from 7:45 a.m. to noon.
When: March 31, first service starts at 6 a.m., followed by 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., with two brunches at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Vietnamese starts at 11 a.m., Korean at 3 p.m. and Arabic ministry at 6 p.m. Evening service starts at 6 p.m.
Where: Crystal Cathedral, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, 92840
Info: Crystal Cathedral
7) Orangecrest Community Church's Helicopter Egg Drop
For the second time Orangecrest Community Church is sponsoring a helicopter to drop over 1,000 candy-filled eggs onto Orange Terrace Park on Sunday. Children up to age 12 are invited to pick the eggs.
When: March 31, first drop after 9 a.m. church service, second after 10:30 a.m. church service.
Where: Orange Terrace Park, 20010 Orange Terrace Pkwy, Riverside, 92508
Info: Easter Helicopter
San Bernardino County
8) 4th Annual Kingdom Culture Worship Centre's Easter Eggstravaganza
Sponsored message
The 4th Annual Kingdom Culture Worship Center's Easter Eggstravaganza will feature 10,000 eggs full of sweets. One golden egg will have $100. There will be free food, live music, games and more.
When: March 30, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: New Vision Middle School, 2050 Pacific St., San Bernardino, 92404
Info: San Bernardino Easter Eggstravaganza Weekend
Ventura County
9) Kids Easter Explosion and Easter in the Park with the Church of Living Christ
On Saturday, the Church of Living Christ of Ojai will host its 3rd annual children's event, featuring Bible stories, live music and an egg hunt. On Sunday, join the Church of Living Christ Worship Team and pastor Ron Triggs to celebrate Easter at the newly-renovated Libbey Bowl. Refreshments are available to those who donate to LIVE BIG Student Ministries.
When: March 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and March 31, starts at 10 a.m.
Where: Libbey Bowl, 210 S. Signal St., Ojai 93023
Info: Christ of Living Church
Online
Sponsored message
10) Watch Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Holy Week Services live online starting 10 a.m. Sunday.
11) Watch Hour of Power at Crystal Cathedral online or on television and Saddleback Church's Online Campus service at various times every day.
Did we miss anything? Do you have a favorite Easter celebration? Share it with us in the comments.
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