Spring is in the air, and so is Easter. The best thing about Spring is the warmup, and a preview of the sweet summer on its way. I don’t know about you, but it’s been a cold winter, February set a record for being the coldest recorded in Rocky Point, and now (finally) we can throw off the sweatshirts, socks and jackets and bask in the sunshine. April is a fantastic month here; the sea warms up and the town comes alive with the end of Spring Break and the large crowds of Easter.

Bring on the visitors, bunnies, flowers, and chocolate. Nautical Easter eggs, why not? How about painting pastel-colored seashells in celebration.

All around town Easter, one of the oldest Christian holidays, is celebrated. The town bursts at its seams, and the more than weeklong holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion, begins with passion.

To honor the holiday, here are 24 interesting facts or little know secrets about Easter:

  1. The date of Easter changes every year, and it’s determined by the lunar calendar. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (around March 21st).
  2. The word “Easter” comes from “Eostre”, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring.
  3. In many countries, it’s traditional to dye and decorate Easter eggs. This practice dates back to ancient times, when eggs were a symbol of new life and rebirth.
  4. The world’s largest Easter egg was made in Italy in 2011. It weighed 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) and stood at 10.39 meters (34 ft) tall.
  5. The Easter Bunny is another popular symbol of Easter. It is said that the Easter Bunny brings baskets of treats to children on Easter morning.
  6. The Easter Bunny has its origins in German folklore, where it was believed to bring eggs and candy to children who were well-behaved. The tradition was brought to the United States by German immigrants in the 18th century.
  7. The White House has been hosting an Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn since 1878. It’s one of the oldest annual events in American history.
  8. The custom of giving Easter eggs dates back to the early Christian church, where they were given as gifts to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
  9. Like in many other countries, it’s traditional in Mexico to decorate Easter eggs. However, in Mexico, these eggs are often made using a technique called “cera batik”, which involves drawing designs on the eggs with wax and then dyeing them.
  10. In some European countries, it’s traditional to have bonfires on the eve of Easter. The fires symbolize the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
  11. In some countries, like Mexico, Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) is celebrated with elaborate processions.
  12. Hot cross buns, a popular Easter treat in many countries, were originally made in ancient Greece to honor the goddess Eostre. The buns were later adopted by Christians and marked with a cross to represent the crucifixion of Jesus.
  13. Easter is the second biggest candy-consuming holiday after Halloween, with an estimated 120 million pounds of candy sold each year in the United States alone.
  14. The Easter Lily, a popular flower associated with the holiday, is believed to represent the resurrection of Jesus. It’s also a symbol of purity and new beginnings.
  15. Easter is celebrated differently in various parts of the world, with different customs and traditions. For example, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it’s traditional to whip women with braided willow branches on Easter Monday, while in Bermuda, it’s traditional to fly kites on Good Friday.
  16. Easter is one of the most important religious celebrations In Mexico, Easter is called “Semana Santa”, which means “Holy Week”. The celebration lasts for seven days, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
  17. Palm Sunday is an important day in Mexico, as it commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On this day, people in Mexico carry palm branches and weave them into crosses to commemorate the occasion.
  18. In many parts of Mexico, it’s traditional to hold processions and parades during Holy Week. These parades feature elaborate floats, statues of Jesus and other religious figures, and live music.
  19. In some regions of Mexico, such as Taxco and San Luis Potosi, it’s traditional to create large, colorful sculptures of Jesus and other religious figures out of paper mache, which are then paraded through the streets during Holy Week.
  20. Easter is a time for family and friends to gather together in Mexico. Many people take the week off work and school to spend time with their loved ones and participate in religious ceremonies.
  21. In Mexico, it’s common to eat seafood during Holy Week, as many people abstain from eating meat during this time. Traditional dishes include shrimp cocktails, ceviche, and fish tacos.
  22. In some parts of Mexico, it’s traditional to celebrate Easter with fireworks displays. These displays can be seen throughout the week, but are especially common on Easter Sunday.
  23. Like in many other countries, it’s traditional in Mexico to decorate Easter eggs. However, in Mexico, these eggs are often made using a technique called “cera batik”, which involves drawing designs on the eggs with wax and then dyeing them.
  24. Many Mexican families attend church services during Holy Week, and some communities hold outdoor religious ceremonies, such as the “Viacrucis”, which is a reenactment of Jesus’ journey to Calvary.
  25. In some regions of Mexico, such as Oaxaca and Veracruz, it’s traditional to celebrate Easter with “velas”, which are colorful parades featuring dancers, musicians, and people in elaborate costumes.

Easter is a time of great importance and celebration in Mexico, and all over the world. From processions and parades to traditional food and family gatherings, this holiday is an opportunity for people across the country to come together and celebrate their faith and traditions.

Happy Easter to you and your family, here’s to hoping that your basket will be filled to the brim with candy, hope and love.

Easter Mexican recipe with seafood

Here is a popular and tasty Easter recipe from a friend in Mexico that features seafood:

Shrimp Ceviche Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb of cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp

1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 red onion, diced

1/2 cucumber, diced

1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup of diced tomatoes

Salt and pepper, to taste

Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the cooked shrimp, lime juice, and orange juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until the shrimp is firm and opaque.

Add the diced onion, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro, and tomatoes to the bowl with the shrimp. Mix well.

Season the ceviche with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve the shrimp ceviche chilled, with tortilla chips on the side.

This shrimp ceviche is a light and refreshing dish that’s perfect for Easter in Mexico. The tangy lime and orange juices pair well with the fresh seafood, while the diced vegetables add a satisfying crunch. It’s also a great dish to share with friends and family during a festive Easter gathering.