Friday
Good Friday / The Holy Day of Good Friday is commemorated by Christians because the date marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The date falls during Holy Week on the Friday before Easter Sunday, and sometimes coincides with the Jewish 8-day festival of Passover as it does in 2017. Passover is April 10-18.
Good Friday also is a bank holiday at the start of the Easter weekend when many local banks that may be closed.
Ribfest Ticket Sales begin 10AM April 14 / Tickets to Naperville’s biggest fundraising festival with a heartfelt purpose go on sale. Individuals can purchase a pass online to see one of the many concert headliners at the Exchange Club of Naperville’s Rifest, taking place from June 30 to July 3 in Knoch Park. Some of the acts featured this year include Toby Keith, The B-52’s, Shinedown and The Wallflowers. Purchase tickets at ribfest.net.
Naperville VFW Fish Fry 4:30-8PM April 14 / Volunteers from Naperville’s Veterans’ organizations will host the Naperville VFW All You Can Eat Fish Fry open to the public every Friday 4:30-8PM through April 14 at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 W Jackson St, Naperville. The menu may vary, but it will feature two kinds of fish, chicken, salad, vegetables, (normally 9 different items) plus rolls, dessert and coffee. Buffet by Belgio’s Catering. Fried shrimp are available to add on for $6, too.  Full menu is available at www.napervfw3873.org. Full cash bar available. Event phone number (630) 420-9820. Thanks to everyone for support of the annual VFW Fish Fry during Lent that benefits programs at the Post.
Additional Events on PN’s Online Calendar
Saturday
Casey’s Foods Saturday Special 8AM-7PM / Casey’s Parmesan Chicken (Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast with Light Seasoning)  Simple, tasty and lean for your busy family! Regularly $8.98. Now this Saturday Only $5.98 per lb. While supply lasts! Saturday only at Casey’s Foods in Naperville Plaza, Washington at Gartner. Pick up a dozen eggs to hard boil for coloring, too!
Oswald’s Pharmacy Easter Egg Hunt Supplies! 9AM-8PM / Find plastic eggs to fill and everything necessary for an Easter Egg Hunt in your own backyard. Basket stuffing supplies, too! Serving Naperville since 1875, the pharmacy will also display the winning entries in Oswald’s Annual  Coloring Contest. Oswald’s is just around the bend from Casey’s in Naperville Plaza.
Naperville Jaycees Annual Easter Egg Hunt 8:55-9:02AM April 15 /Â Don’t be a minute late for this very important date! Arrive by 8:55AM on Sat., April 15, in time to be in place when the siren sounds at 9AM and hundreds, if not thousands, of kids with parents scramble across the outfields to find 14,000 eggs, hidden among the four ball-fields at Frontier Park Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Rd., just south of 95th Street. Age groups are: 0-2yrs, 3-4yrs, 5-6yrs, 7-8yrs. Bring a basket. Special prizes are available and be prepared to hop to it to visit with the Easter Bunny. Good advice is to arrive 30 minutes early as close-by parking is limited. The Jaycees also will be accepting food donations for Loaves and Fishes. PHOTO GALLERY with updates from the 2017 event posted here.
Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 9-11AM April 15 / This free Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast at Naperville Trinity Church of the Nazarene is a safe indoor event for children ages newborn to 4th grade and their parents. It will be held on Saturday, April 15 from 9 – 11AM. There will be fun activities and an opportunity to win door prizes such as zoo tickets, movie tickets and much more. Trinity Church of the Nazarene is located at 1451 Raymond Drive in Naperville between Ogden Avenue and Diehl Road. For more information, call the church at (630) 778-0328, email pastorsally@trinitynazarene.org or visit, at www.trinitynazarene.org.
NJWC’s 4th Annual Hoppy Easter Festival 10AM-noon April 15 / The Naperville Junior Women’s Club will host their 4th Annual Hoppy Easter Festival beginning at 10AM and ending at noon on Saturday, April 15 at Safety Town, 1320 Aurora Ave. The Fest includes an egg hunt, treat stations, live bunnies and photo-ops with the Easter Bunny. Admission is $10 per family to benefit Safety Town and non-perishable food items for Loaves & Fishes food pantry.
Additional Events on PN’s Online Calendar
Sunday
Easter Brunch – April 16
Catch 35 is serving up a sumptuous seafood inspired brunch with three seatings at 9:30AM, 11:30AM and 1:30PM. Adults are $39.95, Kids 4-10 $16 and kids under 3 are free. Reservations can be made by calling (630) 717-3500. Catch 35 is located at 35 S. Washington in downtown Naperville.
CityGate Grille is offering an Easter Brunch 9:30AM to 2:30PM with over 25 delicious breakfast and lunch treats . The cost is $39.95 for adults, $19.95 for kids and 5 and under are free. Reservations can be made by calling (630) 718-1010.  CityGate Grille is located in the Calamos Investments building at I-88 and Rt. 59.
Heaven on Seven will spice up palates with an a la carte Cajun inspired brunch, 10AM to 3PM. Live piano will also liven up the mood. Â Dinner is served 3-9PM. For reservations, call (630) 717-0777. Heaven on Seven is located at 224 S. Main St. in downtown Naperville.
Meson Sabika, located in the historic mansion at 1025 Aurora Ave. will provide guest with a lavish tapas offering. Adults are $46.95, kid 7-12 are $19.95 and 6 and under are complimentary. Hours for Easter are 10AM-6PM. Weather permitting, the Easter Bunny is likely to hop throughout the spacious outdoor setting where Easter eggs will be hidden for the big hunt. For reservations call (630) 983-3000 x2.
Hotel Arista, located at 2139 CityGate Lane, will be serving a delicious assortment of breakfast and lunch specialties, family portraits with the Easter Bunny and kids crafts. Seatings are at 10AM and 1:30PM. The price for adults is $59.95, children are $19.95 and children 3 and under are free. For reservations call, (630) 579-7827 (ask for the Easter Bunny) or email reservations@hotelarista.com.
Downtown Naperville features a basket full of establishments with stuff for Easter Sunday.  Reservations now are being accepted at Catch 35, Craftsman by Two Brothers, Dark Horse Pastries, Delirio Latin Fusion, Heaven on Seven, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, La Sorella di Francesca, and Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Take your chances and arrive early at Eggs Inc, Egg Harbor Naperville and Plank Bar & Kitchen where reservations are not accepted.
Whatever your choice, book early.
For a complete list of Naperville dining establishments including seasoned eateries and recent arrivals on the local restaurant scene, visit www.dinenaperville.com.
