The King lives in Downtown Boca this weekend, with South Florida’s favorite Elvis tribute artist headlining this month’s Friday Night Live in a free concert.
Chris MacDonald, who takes his Elvis show all over the country, will play at Sanborn Square on May 4, with a band and dancers. His show highlights several stages from “the King’s” career.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with a food truck roundup: 4Alarm Pizza, Divan Bakery, Gene’s Joint, Guiseppe’s Italian Sausage, Kona Ice, Latin Burger, Meatballs Etc., Tango Grill and The Philly Grill.
At 7 p.m., a group Boca Bop line dance will take the stage, followed by MacDonald at 7:30.
MacDonald has performed all over the country, including Graceland and Las Vegas, in addition to frequent local shows. Broward County’s Florida Country Music Association once named him Male Vocalist of the Year. (He is playing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in August; those tickets start at $42.50).
He has appeared with Elvis’ own original backup group, the Jordanaires. And in February, he presided over a marriage vow renewal ceremony for 50 couples at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The Boca show is part of the city’s new entertainment series on the first Friday of every month. Downtown shops, restaurants and clubs extend their hours and offer samplings, discounts and specials from Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place, along Palmetto Park Road and Plaza Real South.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:
Most events are free. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., with live entertainment starting at 7:30.
LEARN MORE Visit Chris MacDonald’s website or find him on Facebook
Keep up with Downtown Boca events at www.downtownboca.org and on Facebook
HEAD’S UP The new iPic cinema opens May 4 at Mizner Park. Find a ticket deal at downtownboca.org.
HEAD’S UP
The new iPic cinema opens May 4 at Mizner Park. Find a ticket deal at downtownboca.org.
- CHARLENE PACENTI
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Spring is here, the break is over for most of us, and Easter is right around the corner.
If you’re planning to hit a big egg hunt – or hope to encounter the Easter Bunny himself – there are plenty of places around town to do it, including the city’s annual egg dive at Meadows Park Pool. And the city of Boca Raton’s annual Spring Fling.
Here are details on some of the options:
In Boca Raton
Spring Egg Dive at the Pool
Search for pennies and eggs at the bottom of the pool. Prizes for everyone. 10:30 a.m.-noon, April 6. Meadows Park Pool, 1300 NW Eighth St. Ages: 5-13 Cost: Free Call 561-393-7851.
Spring Egg Splashtacular
Hunt for eggs in the water playground at Coconut Cove Water Park and get a chance to win some prizes. Wear your bathing suit and bring a basket to collect eggs. 8:30-9:30 a.m. April 7. Coconut Cove Water Park, inside South County Regional Park, 11200 Park Access Rd. Ages: 1-10 Cost: $4 a child Call 561-274-1140 or visit the park’s website. Preregister through April 6.
Spring Fling Family Fun Day
Entertainment, photos, rides, contests, face painting, egg hunting and more. Noon to 3 p.m. April 7. Memorial Park, 150 Crawford Blvd Cost: Free Call 561-393-7827.
Easter Egg Hunt
Crafts, games, refreshments and a visit from the Easter bunny after the egg hunt. 9 a.m. April 7 First United Methodist Church, 9087 Glades Rd. All ages Cost: Free Call 561-395-1244.
Egg Hunt and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Egg hunt will take place throughout select Terrace stores, with breakfast following at California Pizza Kitchen. There will be live entertainment, goody bags, arts and crafts and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. 8 a.m. April 7. The Terrace at Town Center Cost: $5 per person for Egg Hunt or $20 a person for Egg Hunt and Breakfast (children 2 and under are free) Visit the mall’s website.
Boomers Easter Egg Hunt
Egg hunt with prizes and an appearance from the Easter Bunny. Best decorated basket wins 5,000 coupons. 10 a.m. April 8 Boomers, 3100 Airport Rd. All Ages Cost: Free Call 561-347-1888.
In Delray Beach 20th Annual Egg Hunt Come hunt for more than 10,000 hidden Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes. 8 a.m. April 7 Seacrest Soccer Complex, 2505 N. Seacrest Blvd. Cost: Free Call 561-243-7277.
In Boynton Beach Easter Egg Hunt
Face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny after the egg hunt. Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market, 10066 Lee Rd. (US 441) Starting at 9:30 a.m. April 6 Ages: Walking-age 12 (hunt will be broken up into three age groups) Cost: $2 Call 561-733-5490 or visit Bedner’s online.
Spring Egg-Stravaganza
Egg hunt, games, face painting and an appearance from Peter Cottontail. Hester Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 7 Ages: 1-12 Cost: Free
- MERCEDES COPPIN
There’s a new hidden treasure in Boynton Beach, neatly tucked off Congress Avenue. The Barrier Free Park, which opened earlier this year, is beautifully designed and fun for children and adults alike.
The park has been specially designed so that children of all abilities can comfortably enjoy the park’s amenities. Barriers have been removed so that nothing hinders children with special needs from enjoying the playground equipment.
The scenic 13-acre park features a large pond, beautifully decorated art panels, a splash area, a jungle gym and a climbing structure.
In addition to the typical swing sets, there is also a Sway-Fun glider, which has been designed to allow wheelchair-bound children the chance to experience what riding a swing is like.
The Swamp Splash Pad has two alligator heads, and other fixtures including a rain stick, that spray out cool water and makes a sizzling sound when flipped.
The park, which has a swamp theme, is beautifully landscaped with palm and oak trees, grass plants, and large rocks. Instead of the usual wood chips or mulch that surround many local jungle gyms, the Barrier Free Park uses a soft, vibrant green artificial grass.
Large shade sails have been strategically placed throughout the park so that the equipment can be enjoyable on the sunniest days.
In addition to several picnic tables that are located underneath the large pavilion, there are bistro-style tables and numerous wooden benches throughout the park.
Plans for the park have been in the works since 2003, when the Boundless Playgrounds Initiative was introduced by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. Cuts to the city budget delayed construction of the $2.3 million park project in 2009.
In 2010, the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation, a nonprofit organization, took over the building efforts and began to raise money for the project, according to its website.
The $1.7 million first phase was opened to the public Jan. 21. The foundation is still working to raise enough money to add the other three stages, which will include a building for therapeutic recreation and a larger play area.
MORE INFO
Read more about the Barrier Free Park Project at the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation website.
Visit the park at 3111 S. Congress Ave., halfway between Woolbright and Lake Ida roads next to the city tennis courts.
There’s a reason our roads, restaurants and everything else fill up this time of year. South Florida is the best place to be in winter. And as parents, it’s no small privilege that our kids get to play outside year-round.
A few ideas for taking advantage of it:
What are your favorite things to do outside this time of year? Post in the comments.
MORE FAMILY FUN
Find more ideas for classes, events and other activities in Things to Do.
If you’re staying in town for the holidays and need to find something for the kids to do, or need child care while you work, there are some great camps offered during the break, from basketball to gymnastics to drama.
Many of the programs also offer some flexibility, whether you need them for the whole break, or just a day or two.
Here are some ideas:
Boca Hoops: The recreational basketball league’s Holiday Mini Camp has two sessions for girls and boys age 7-15: Dec. 27-30 and Jan. 3-6. Both run 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Olympic Heights Community High School, 20101 Lyons Rd. Call 561-395-7372, ext. 106. City of Boca Raton: Recreational camp for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawfod Blvd. Offered Dec. 23; Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-6; and Jan. 9. $30 a day per child for residents; $43 for non-residents. Call 561-393-7888 to register.
Tennis: Junior Winter Camp for ages 3-16 is offered at two locations.
YMCA: Its Winter Break Camp at the Peter Blum Family Center, 6631 Palmetto Cir. S., runs Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. Members $140 for four days or $40 a day; for non-members, $240 for four days or $70 a day.
Rising Stars: Gymnastics Holiday Camp, 1088 S. Rogers Cir., runs Dec.23 and Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-6 and Jan. 9. Rates for all 12 days: 1/2 day, $300; 3/4 day, $340; full day, $380. Weekly rates: 1/2 day, $130; 3/4 day, $145; full day, $165. Daily rates: 1/2 day, $27; 3/4 day, $33; full day, $38. Museum of Discovery & Science: Winter break camp for kids 6-12 at the museum, 401 SW Second St. in Fort Lauderdale, includes an IMAX movie.
Twisters: Gymnastics Winter Holiday Camp, 3100 NW Boca Raton Blvd, #308, runs Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-30. Winter-themed gymnastics fun, games, movies and arts & crafts. Daily rates: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $47; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $67; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $77. Weekly rates: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $187; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $267; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $297.
Showtime: Campers at this performing arts program will learn songs, scenes and choreography from Footloose. Dec. 26-Jan. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended day 8 a.m.-6 p.m. available. Performance on Jan. 6. 561-394-2626. Showtime is at 503 SE Mizner Blvd., Suite 73, Royal Palm Place. www.showtimeboca.com.
If you have other ideas, post in the comments.
