Easter’s Back at Hollywood Bowl

On a Sunday morning in 1921, hundreds of people gathered for an Easter sunrise service on the grassy slopes of an area in Hollywood called Daisy Dell. It was said that the Dell’s “bowl” shape was naturally acoustic. Out of that gathering came the name--and legacy--of Hollywood Bowl.

This Sunday, after five years at another location, the Hollywood Easter Sunrise Service returns to the natural surroundings of the cathedral-like Hollywood Bowl. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, a focal point of the first Easter Sunrise Service, will take the stage--as opposed to the crude platform it played on in 1921--for the 79th sunrise service.

“The Easter Sunrise Service started the Hollywood Bowl,” said Norma Foster, event producer for 12 years. “It’s for the whole community; it belongs to the people of L.A.”

Actress Dyan Cannon will recite a reading, and clergy from seven churches will reflect the diversity of the city in the nondenominational service. Other participants will include dancers of the Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan Liturgical Ballet, the Knox Presbyterian Church Hand Bell Choir, the Southern California Mormon Choir, the Jeffrey Barnes Baha’i Gospel Choir and the Jubilation Boys Choir.

Admission and parking at the Bowl is free. Gates open at 4 a.m., and the service begins at 5:30 a.m. For a preview of the morning’s festivities--and reserved box seats--come to the rehearsal on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, bearing calla lilies and Easter lily potted plants in exchange for box seats. For more information, call (323) 850-2000.

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There are numerous other events taking place this weekend, which will mark the Easter holiday and the arrival of spring. Here’s a sampling:

Friday

Big Bunny’s Spring Fling returns to the L.A. Zoo Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with bunny crafts, face painting and live rabbits to pet. Kids can also visit Big Bunny and have their picture taken ($2 per photo). The event is included in zoo admission: $8.25 for adults; $3.25 for ages 2 to 12. Parking is $5. (323) 644-6400.

The 23rd annual Knott’s Berry Farm Spring Crafts Festival is open daily through April 30. Dozens of Southern California artisans are showcasing painting, handmade pottery and ceramics, country crafts, dolls, handcrafted jewelry, hand-blown glass and more. Pictures with the Easter Bunny and Easter treats will also be available. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Included in park admission, which is $29 for Southern California adult residents, $14 for ages 3 to 11. (714) 220-5200.

Legoland will host a Miniland Easter Bunny Hunt and a Bunny Building, Friday through Sunday. Open to children 3-16, winners will be chosen from three age categories: 3- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 9-year-olds and 10- to 16-year-olds. Guests can pitch in to help build a giant Lego rabbit, all three days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For spring, the park extends its daily hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cannon Road and Lego Drive, Carlsbad. Included in park admission, which is $34 for adults, $27 ages 3 to 16. (760) 918-LEGO.

Saturday

An Easter egg hunt, the Great American Petting Zoo and children’s entertainers are the highlights of Easter on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena, noon-4 p.m. More than 100 businesses along South Lake will participate in the egg hunt. Admission is free; photos with Peter Rabbit are $5. (626) 792-1259.

Watch for the Easter Egg-plosion in Johnny Carson Park, 400 S. Bob Hope Drive, Burbank, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Games, an Easter bonnet parade and refreshments are planned for this free event. Pictures with the Easter Bunny are $3. (818) 238-5300.

The 14th annual Spring Art Show returns to Brentwood on Saturday and Sunday. About 125 juried fine-arts and crafts people, an international food court, contests for kids and entertainment will fill the Veterans Administration grounds at Wilshire and San Vicente boulevards, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Free. (626) 797-6803.

The 10th annual Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt are part of the Spring Festival of Flowers on Saturday at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. The hunts begin at 9:30 a.m., running at 15-minute intervals until 2:45 p.m. Tickets are $2.50 per child. The brunch ($15 for adults, $7 for ages 10 and younger) will be served on the main lawn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Price includes garden admission. Reservations required: (818) 952-4405.

Immerse yourself in spring at the Wildflower Show, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include wildflower walks, nature-related displays and more than 150 varieties of wildflowers. Malibu Bluffs Park, Santa Monica Mountains. Free. (805) 370-2301.

Sunday

Horizon’s 25th annual Easter Sunrise Service at SeaWorld is set for 7 a.m. The service will be held in the park’s Bird Showplace. The contemporary Christian band the Kry will perform, along with Sara MacIntosh. Gates open at 5 a.m. Admission is free. Information: (858) 277-4991, Ext. 291.

See Easter von Bunny descend from the skies over Santa Monica to land at the Museum of Flying. The Easter Bunny Fly-In includes games, a moon bounce, photos with the Easter Bunny and, of course, the airborne bunny’s arrival in a vintage biplane. The Easter Bunny will hand out eggs after his 1 p.m. landing. Event hours are 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The suggested donation is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for ages 3 to 17. Information: (310) 392-8822, Ext. 506.

A concert is slated on the grounds of the Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. Pianist Howard Cowles will perform at 2 p.m., followed at 3:30 by students from Cal State Fullerton’s music department, performing secular and Easter-themed music. The concerts are free and library admission is not required. (714) 993-5075.

Alice and her Wonderland friends will host the lavish Easter Basket Buffet at the Disneyland Hotel, across from the theme park at 1150 W. Cerritos Ave. in Anaheim, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ballroom will be decorated in a spring/Easter theme, with Alice and other characters strolling among the diners. Tickets for adults are $46; $13.50 for 11 and younger. Reservations are recommended: (714) 956-6413.