Area gears up for busy Easter

EXCESSIVE chocolate consumption, the Easter bunny's arrival, and highly anticipated family Easter egg hunts are not the only things happening this long weekend.

Church services will be attended by many this Easter.

EXCESSIVE chocolate consumption, the Easter bunny’s arrival, and highly anticipated family Easter egg hunts are not the only things happening this long weekend.

To many people the five-day long weekend is a time for relaxation and family, but those planning a huge festive dinner or lunch best not count on getting any last-minute ingredients at the supermarket.

Supermarkets around the region are closed on Good Friday and re-open from Saturday onwards with various trading hours.

Byron Bay and its influx of Bluesfest visitors will continue most of its normal trading hours to keep up with the busy holiday period.

“Most of Byron Bay will stay open over the weekend,” Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce executive officer Diana Liptrot said.

“There are just too many visitors and it is too busy for the CBD to close.

“Many shops will comply with trade regulations for the morning of Good Friday, but after that most businesses will be open.”

Churches around the region will be open for special Easter services, and waves of people are expected to flock to the local churches to celebrate the true meaning of Easter.

St Frances Xavier’s Catholic Parish will have Holy Thursday Mass at Ballina and Wardell tonight from 7, and a service at 10am at Ballina and a Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at Ballina at 3pm, both on Good Friday.

The Alstonville Uniting Church has a service tonight at 7, and a service tomorrow morning at 9.

The Southern Cross Presbyterian Church will meet on Good Friday at 9.30am and again on Sunday at 9.30am and 6pm.

Finally St Paul’s Anglican Church in Byron Bay will have the Last Supper and foot washing tonight at 7.30, a liturgy of the day at 9.30am on Good Friday, and Sunday services at 9am and 7.30pm.

St Paul’s will also have a lighting of the new fire service at 6.30pm at St Oswald’s in Broken Head on Saturday night.

Even sport has an Easter event with the 85th Lismore Easter Tennis Classic on from Saturday to Monday at Lismore Tennis Courts.

OPENING TIMES

Lismore Square shopping centre

Good Friday: Closed

Saturday: 9am-4pm and Big W, Kmart, Woolworths and Coles vary between 7am-6pm.

Sunday: 10am-2pm (specialities optional) and Big W, Kmart, Woolworths and Coles vary between 8am-8pm.

Monday: 10-2 (specialties optional) and Big W, Kmart, Woolworths and Coles vary between 8am-6pm.

 

Lismore Central shopping centre

Good Friday: Closed.

Saturday: 7am-9pm.

Sunday: 8am-8pm.

Monday: 8am-6pm.

 

Ballina Fair shopping centre

Good Friday: Closed

 

Ballina Town Centre

Good Friday: Closed

 

Casino Shopping Plaza Woolworths

Good Friday: Closed.

Saturday: 8am-6pm.

Sunday: 9am-6pm.

Monday: 9am-6pm.

 

Woolworths Byron Bay

Good Friday: Closed.

Saturday: 7am-8pm.

Sunday: 7am-10pm.

Monday: 8am-8pm.

Originally published as Area gears up for busy Easter