Lucy Hopkins
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report

Every Easter weekend, local kids and families gather at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre to participate in the annual Bunny Trail and Easter egg hunt.

This year’s Bunny Trail is happening on Saturday, March 30 at the community centre, with the egg hunt starting at 10 a.m.

The Niagara Nursery School is a non-profit organization and has run the Easter event for over 20 years to fundraise for the benefit of its young students.

“It is definitely a way to bring the community together,” said executive director Candice Penny.

“That’s what our school has always been about — our community and families and supporting them, and having a fun event to bring everyone together and have some fun and support the school,” she said.

Families look forward to it and travel from far and wide around the region to take part.

There will be various fun indoor and outdoor attractions for families and kids to participate in: alongside the Kinsmen egg hunt, Eggs the Bunny will pay a visit and the community centre will host a petting zoo, a magician, a bake sale, musical groups, colouring stations and more.

But the day is more than just activities for kids — it is also a big opportunity for the nursery school itself.

“This is an event that has been going on since the early 1990s, and it’s become an annual event for the school and the not-for-profit fundraising and is a major part of our existence,” Penny said.

“It allows us to ensure we have the much-needed resources, equipment, and materials for the kids, it’s an important event to allow us to do that.”

“We fundraise for much-needed resources and equipment that are required for the school, so 100 per cent of the profits go back directly to those items.”

This year, organizers are fundraising for new tables and chairs for both preschool and school-aged students, along with other playground resources.

“We’re so appreciative of the support that we receive each and every year and the funds that we’re able to raise through it to benefit the school as a result.”

The egg hunt will start at 10 a.m. sharp, rain or shine, while other activities at the Bunny Trail will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Cost is $5 per child and $15 for three or more children.

Food will be available for purchase on-site, including pizza made by Ruffino’s Pasta Bar and Grill, and hot dogs.

With a fundraising goal of $15,000, everything raised from the Bunny Trail goes directly into programs and much-needed educational resources for our students and staff. 

For more information on the Bunny Trail, visit the school’s website at niagaranurseryschool.ca, for follow it on social media @niagaranurseryschool.