By Staff
The sixth Easter Eggstravaganza, hosted by Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to welcome Miss Dowagiac 2007 Sara Anne Ausra and her court, who will help staff the springtime children's event staged in and around Beckwith Park for youngsters ages 1 to 7.
The old-fashioned Easter egg hunt and related activities will be held on Saturday, March 31, with a rain date of the following Saturday, April 7.
Corporate and community sponsors of the springtime celebration are Midwest Energy Cooperative, a Chamber of Commerce member from Cassopolis, Kappa Beta Sorority and Dowagiac Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service.
According to Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber and Downtown Development Authority, Miss Dowagiac and her court will judge the "Be a Bunny" costume contest that opens the celebration at 11:30 a.m. in Beckwith Park.
The court will also provide assistance to the Easter Bunny and help run children's lawn games.
Appearing with Miss Dowagiac will be First Runner-up Molly Seurynck, Second Runner-up Brittany Bruens and Miss Congeniality Kristin Krueger.
Phillipson said children wearing a bunny costume will vie for first-, second- and third-place awards, with each winner receiving a giant-sized plush toy.
Following the noon egg hunt, parents are invited to take pictures of their children with the Easter Bunny.
Youngsters can also meet the costumed character Ashes "the fire dog" and participate in chalk art and springtime lawn games.
Chamber volunteers and staff have inserted 15,000 pieces of wrapped chocolate into 5,500 plastic eggs.
Phillipson said the first 200 children to meet the Easter Bunny will also receive a free springtime coloring book, courtesy of Kappa Beta Sorority and the Chamber.
"Traditionally, Easter Eggstravaganza marks the official arrival of springtime to our Grand Old City," Phillipson said.
The celebration is one of six seasonal community events of the Chamber and also includes the three-day Dowagiac Fun Fest in July, Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show in August, Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration Open House Weekend in November, Candle-light Christmas Parade in December and Ice Time Festival in February.
Easter Eggstravaganza events are open to the public free of charge.
To receive a 2007 Dowagiac Events and Festivals Brochure. call the Chamber at (269) 782-8212.