Peter Cottontail and Farmer Brown are hopping with happiness in anticipation of their annual visit with the children of Ironton and Lawrence County.

Saturday, April 01, 2000

Peter Cottontail and Farmer Brown are hopping with happiness in anticipation of their annual visit with the children of Ironton and Lawrence County. The annual Easter egg hunt, complete with E. Bunny himself, will kick off at 10:30 a.m. April 15, although the bunny will be here much earlier.

"He just couldn’t wait for the time with the children of Ironton to come around again," said Lou Pyles, co-president of Ironton Business Association, which sponsors the annual event. "The Easter Bunny said he would show up a bit early to get his picture taken with all the boys and girls who come out for the egg hunt."

E. Bunny and friend Farmer Brown look forward to the event each year because they love to see the children hunt for the eggs –  and they especially love seeing the look of sweet surprise on the children’s faces when they find out what is inside the eggs.

"The bunny and his helpers have been very busy preparing for this year’s egg hunt," Mrs. Pyles said. "They are bringing more than 2,000 eggs to hide in the grass on the Lawrence County Courthouse lawn."

The eggs are filled with candy and other goodies – including three savings bonds that will be hidden among the other eggs.

As always, E. Bunny likes to keep the event very, very fair for all the children. The courthouse lawn will be segmented into designated age group areas and all the children will begin the hunt at the same time, Mrs. Pyles said.

The IBA also is pleased to be bringing the bunny back to Ironton this year, Mrs. Pyles said.

"The IBA is excited about this event, too," Mrs. Pyles said. "We appreciate all the people who support the local businesses and this is a way we can give something to them and their children as a means of saying thank you for the support they give us."

Although the IBA sponsors the event, Desco Federal Credit Union will provide the savings bonds.

And, any and all helping hands are always welcome at the event, which begins about an hour and a half before the hunt begins.

"The Easter Bunny delivers the eggs to us early so that we can help him get them hidden before the children arrive," she said. "We’re always glad to have help from anyone who’d like to volunteer."

To volunteer for the event, or to inquire about joining the IBA, call 533-3826.