The Easter Bunny followed the rules of physical distancing during its recent visit to Tay Township.
When Premier Doug Ford declared the Easter Bunny an essential service, the Victoria Harbour Lions Club sprang into action, organizing a parade that went through parts of the township Sunday morning.
"It was outrageous," said Dennis Esterbrooks, president of the club. "We had 20 cars. They were decorated and we had the Easter Bunny on a pickup truck, safely secured in place. We also had a clown on a truck, too."
Securing the bunny and clown on the trucks was necessary, he said.
"We didn't want to impose on the (physical distancing) rules put in place as to what we were allowed to do," said Esterbrooks. "Because if we had them walking around, kids would have been tempted to run up to them."
The Victoria Harbour and Tay Township fire departments also joined the parade bringing fire trucks from which firefighters waved at the families and children watching from their front yards.
"People came out on their front lawns. (They were) cheering and clapping and they were happy," said Esterbrooks. "It was very heartwarming. All the young kids - the looks on their faces - were priceless. They were happy to see the Easter Bunny."
He said he was also amazed at how many seniors came out of their houses to watch the parade that took two hours to go through a route planned by Janet Patullo, who was dressed up as the Easter Bunny.
It started at the firehall in Victoria Harbour and ended at the end of William Street, at the turnaround by the highway, said Esterbrooks.
"Everybody came out, they were banging things and yelling Happy Easter," he added. "It was overhwleming."
Seeing the success of the first-ever Easter Day parade, he said, he would recommend that the planning committee consider adding this as a regular feature of the celebrations that typically take place at Oakwood Park.
"I think that going forward, we could do this again. Next year, we're suggesting that we should start with a parade and end up back at the Oakwood Community Centre, where we could have the Easter hunt."
Mayor Ted Walker, who was among the spectators, said he was happy to see how well it all came together.
"It was great," he said. "We got a lot of positive feedback from people. It was something that people weren't expecting, but they were delighted.
"We're lucky to have the Lions that did this," added Walker. "Whenever there's a community event, they're always front and centre."
