ONTARIO — Though the Easter Bunny doesn’t say much, the fuzzy fellow is able to bring smiles to children’s faces when they stop by to visit at the Richland Mall.

In fact, the Easter Bunny rarely speaks. Parents often prompt their child with questions when they sit on its lap.

“My job is to help them feel the love and happiness that’s in Easter,” the bunny said. “The best part is having kids run up and give me hugs.”

On the other hand, Peter Cottontail said the worst part is how hot it can get. Probably because of the flashing camera lights. I can’t think of another reason why.

Sometimes the Easter Bunny sees 10 children per day and other times there are as many as 30 per hour. The bunny would rather be busy and described the job as “sometimes exhausting” but “always rewarding.”

This year’s Easter display at the mall was designed by Arnolds Landscaping and Garden Center.

The Richland Source spoke with children after they visited the Easter Bunny on Friday, April 14. Here’s what they had to say.

Name: Reagan Rodenbaugh

Parents: Wendy and Tim Rodenbaugh

Question: What do you want the Easter Bunny to bring you?

Answer: “A Sky helicopter… Princess Poppy (from Trolls).”

Question: What is your favorite part of Easter?

Answer: “Going on Easter egg hunts… painting eggs.”

Name: Emmy Davis

Age: 3

Parents: Terry and Christine Davis

Question: What is your favorite part of Easter?

Answer: “Everything.”

Name: Dalton

Parents: Teresa Downs

Question: What do you want the Easter Bunny to bring you?

Answer: “An Easter Bunny costume.”

Question: What is your favorite part of Easter?

Answer: “Easter egg hunts.”

Name: Walter

Parents: Teresa Downs

Question: What do you want the Easter Bunny to bring you?

Answer: “A carrot.”

Question: What is your favorite part of Easter?

Answer: “I don’t have a favorite part. I love it all.”

 

Name: Kamden Leonard

Age: 6

Question: What is your favorite part of Easter?

Answer: “Looking for eggs.”

Name: Addison Leonard

Age: 8

Question: What is your favorite part of Easter?

Answer: “The Easter Bunny.”

 

Name: Grayson

Age: 5

Question: What do you want the Easter Bunny to bring you?

Answer: “I don’t know.”

Question: What is your favorite part of Easter?

Answer: “Finding Easter eggs.”

Name: Carey

Age: 1

Question: What do you want the Easter Bunny to bring you?

Answer: (On behalf of Carey): “Candy”

Name: Lilly Hinton

Age: 1-year-old

Parents: Kelly and John Hinton

No responses.

Name: Bentley Byrd

Age: 9-days-old

Parents: Autumn and Robert Byrd

No responses.

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Community investment made this reporting happen. Independent, local news in Shelby and Northern Richland County is brought to you in part by the generous support of Phillips Tube GroupR.S. HanlineArcelorMittalLloyd RebarHess Industries, and Shelby Printing.

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