The 16th-annual Easter Eggstravaganza, hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and underwritten by Honor Credit Union, will be held Saturday, March 19, in and around the Beckwith Park in downtown Dowagiac.

Co-chairing this year’s event from Honor Credit Union are Janie Reifenberg, branch manager, and Bonnie Ferrier and Norma Greenman.

“Honor Credit Union has been a proud sponsor of the springtime children’s event for the past seven years, during which time staff members have served as on-site volunteers,” Reifenberg said. “Honor Credit Union strives to make a positive impact in our community. Members of our staff enjoy participating in community activities and each year we look forward to the spring celebration.”

The event features the annual “Be a Bunny” costume contest at 11:45 a.m. at the Beckwith Park.  Ferrier said costumed bunnies and their parents should gather beneath the Haggin-Wimberley Memorial Bandstand beginning at 11:30 for the contest that awards prizes for the best overall costume, most colorful and most original.

Costumed characters, along with Miss Dowagiac Anne Zebell and her Court of Honor will be on hand to greet children.

“Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras and are invited to take pictures of their children as they visit with the Easter Bunny at Beckwith Park, beginning at 10:30,” Ferrier said.

Honor Credit Union volunteers are stuffing 8,000 pieces of wrapped candy and trinkets into the 4,000 brightly-colored plastic eggs that will await youngsters that morning.  Staff and volunteers of the City’s Department of Public Services will help set up the egg hunt. Also working with Honor Credit Union has been Ale Forburger, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from D. MottL Realty and Vickie Phillipson, Chamber of Commerce & DDA program director.

The Easter egg hunt begins at Noon for youngsters, ages two to 10.  Children up to age five will hunt for eggs in and around the Haggin-Wimberley Memorial Bandstand, while ages six to 10 will search for eggs on the lawn off Depot Drive at Beeson Street.  Ferrier said children will also enjoy face painting, cookie decorating and Judd Lumber’s bounce house.

Corporate sponsors of the event also include: Eckman Chiropractic, Flint’s Auto Repair, Judd Lumber Company & Rental, Kappa Beta Sorority, McDonald’s Restaurant, Southwestern Michigan College and Who Knew? Consignment.

“Traditionally, Easter Eggstravaganza marks the official arrival of springtime to our community,” Reifenberg said.

In case of thunderstorms or snow, activities will be held on the following Saturday at the same time.  The celebration is one of several seasonal events of the Chamber of Commerce.