The Easter Bunny will be hopping down the bunny trail to two local malls Saturday.
The bunny will be making his grand entrance in style at the Cressona Mall. Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with the bunny's arrival in the back of a convertible provided by Jerry's Northeast Auto Sales.
After greeting the crowd, the bunny will lead the kids on an Easter egg hunt around the mall. Cynthia Huntsinger, mall manager and promotions coordinator, said the hunt is not like other free-for-all hunts held outdoors.
"The bunny will march around the interior of the mall and the kids will follow," she said, adding that it's more like a parade than an egg hunt.
She said the stores will have baskets from which the children will choose an egg. Some eggs will have candy, while others will have tickets for prizes.
Following the hunt, children can get their pictures taken with the bunny until 7 p.m. The Easter Bunny will return Sunday for pictures from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Huntsinger said the bunny will be in the mall for pictures every weekend until April 19 for $5, which includes a 4-by-6-inch picture and Easter frame. Times are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Huntsinger said a craft and Easter bingo will also be available Saturday for the children. She said prizes will be given to every kid who plays bingo.
"Kids are thrilled to get anything," she said.
For more information on Cressona Mall's activities, visit the mall's Facebook page.
At the Schuylkill Mall, the events will kick off at noon with John Cassidy's "Balloon Freak Show."
Cassidy is a professional comedian, magician and balloon artist. He has been featured on numerous television shows such as "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."
"We are really looking forward to having him here," Dana Baker, marketing director, said.
The Easter Bunny will arrive after the show and will take pictures with children until 8 p.m. A second show by Cassidy will begin at 1:30 p.m.
In addition to the bunny, the event will feature a double inflatable slide, balloon animals and treat decorating. Baker said this year's treat will be cupcakes.
"We always do some kind of celebration to welcome the bunny," she said.
The bunny will be at the mall every day for pictures until Easter Sunday. The schedule is noon to 5 p.m. March 30, April 6, April 13; 4 to 8 p.m. March 31 to April 4, 7 to 11 and 14 to 16; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 5, 12 and 17 to 19.
Pet photos with the bunny will also be held from 4 to 8 p.m. April 3, 10 and 17, and noon to 5 p.m. April 13.
In addition to Saturday's event, the mall will be hosting an Easter egg hunt on April 12.
For the more information on events at Schuylkill Mall, visit shopschuylkillmall.com.
The Easter Bunny will hop over to the Fairlane Village mall on April 5. The arrival party will feature a creature feature show at noon and a magic show by Tom Crowl. The bunny will arrive at 11:30 a.m. and will be at the mall daily for pictures until the holiday.