The Desert Celebrates Easter

People started the day with a reminder of what the holiday is truly about.

“It puts hope in every person who will put their faith in Christ, so there’s no doubt, no fear, no more pain. Although we still have suffering and hurt, we have certainty of his presence,” Our Savior Church pastor David Sanger said.

And that morning message set the tone for a day of family fun in the desert.

In Palm Springs, a couple thousand people gathered in Sunrise Park for the “Well In the Desert’s” annual Easter celebration.

“People who are going to receive a lift and a blessing to get something nice on Easter Sunday,” Metropolitan Community Church pastor Clinton Crawshaw said.

People lined up for food, games, and Easter baskets — something they say they may not have been able to give their kids on their own.

“Right now, I’m unemployed. My wife has a part-time job. And my daughter just started a job, so believe me, it helps a lot.”

Jumpers, ring toss and games galore kept kids busy under the sun. Under water — a few cities over — floating pastel eggs kept kids busy as well.

Over at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, an Easter egg hunt of different sorts.

Kids dove in for an under water Easter egg hunt.

“They’re actually putting the eggs under water and we’ve never experienced something like that. It’s fun for all ages,” Wendy Castillo said.

On land or in water — the valley served up a lot of Easter for people in the valley.

But take away Easter baskets and chocolate bunnies, and the true message of the holiday shines through.

“We can have hope that he will help us in any situation,” Sanger said.