Expectations of happy children are the driving force behind this year’s Easter in the Park, being hosted this Saturday by the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce at Heritage Park.

Easter in the Park, now in its fourth year, will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the park located on South Main Street, with the Easter Bunny scheduled to visit.

Seeing the reactions of the children when the Easter Bunny arrives is always a highlight, Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryl Vickery said.

“The Easter Bunny will make an appearance, so we want the children to come out and see him,” she said. “It’s so cute to see the reaction of the children when they see the Easter Bunny. Most of them are not scared, but some of them do get scared when they see him. It’s happy and funny, but it’s always exciting to see the children shine when they see him.”

The event will be filled with activities for children to participate in along with the chance to have a photograph taken with the Easter Bunny.

Clayton Lisenby of Clayton L. Photography will be on hand at the event taking photos with packages available for purchase.
To go along with the pictures there will also be games and an added attraction, Vickery said.

“We try to add something new each year,” she said. “This year, we are adding a train ride, so the Easter Express will be giving rides around the block. We will still have our arts and crafts, refreshments, sidewalk chalk and an Easter egg race. There will be something for everyone that comes.”

The popularity of the event has grown steadily since it began in 2009 during Vickery’s first spring with the Chamber.

Great weather and location have been one thing that have made the event show strong turnouts, Vickery said.

“It’s a great day and wonderful time of year,” she said. “I think having something right here at Easter has been big, so this event became an instant hit. We advertise and talk with the papers, but being in the park that is visible has been the best advertisement. We have so much drive by traffic that stops, and they come back because they know it will be going on next year.”

For more information about Easter in the Park, contact the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce at 368-3305.