With all the bad news that has surrounded our area in the past week, and Easter on the horizon, it is time for a little Easter fun.

Most of us have probably been to an Easter egg hunt at some point but imagine hunting for 501,000 eggs. That is what happened in Winter Haven, FL back in 2007.

The pastel colors often used to color Easter eggs have a religious meaning. Baby blue, mint green, light yellow, and soft pink are about rebirth and renewal of life. White represents light, triumph and glory. Lavender represents penance, power and royalty. Pink is all about joy and love, while red has to do with sacrifice, blood, and martyrdom. Green, the color of spring, represents hope and eternal life. In Orthodox and Easter Catholic churches eggs are died red to represent Christ’s blood, then blessed and handed out to supplicants.

It is believed that Easter is named after the goddess, Eostre. She is the goddess of spring, rebirth, and fertility, and her icon is the rabbit, another thing you might think about when you think about Easter.

But it isn’t all about bunnies. The lamb is also an important symbol of Easter having to do with commemorating Christ’s death and sacrifice.

I personally don’t like jellybeans, although I know many people that do. Apparently the most popular flavor is Very Cherry. Every year there are 16 billion jellybeans produced in the U.S.

For those chocolate lovers out there, the largest chocolate egg stood over 34 feet tall and weighed almost 16,000 pounds. It was made in Italy in 2011.

Easter lilies represent the true meaning of Easter, not just because the white color can represent the purity and innocence of Jesus. There is also the parallel of the flower bulb growing beneath the Earth representing Jesus’ death, while the actual sprout of the flower symbolizes Jesus’ resurrection.

Easter is one of those holidays that doesn’t fall on the same date every year. Easter takes place on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon. Easter, however, is the oldest Christian holiday. And Good Friday isn’t recognized as an official holiday in most states—only 12 states recognize the holiday.

Have you ever thought of pretzels regarding Easter? Apparently, the way that pretzels are twisted symbolizes the arms being crossed when in prayer.

Dressing up for Easter is based on superstition. In the 19th century, there were those who felt that wearing new clothes for Easter would bring good luck for the rest of the year.

Here’s to everyone having a blessed Easter full of fun and family, but don’t forget to take time to remember the reason for the holiday.