Easter Bunny, Candy Await Downtown Shoppers on Saturday

If you're looking for a shopping opportunity with a child-friendly atmosphere this weekend, Saturday is the day to head downtown in Madison.

The Easter Bunny will be hopping around businesses, many of which will be giving out candy and toy-filled Easter eggs during the Chamber of Commerce's third-annual Easter Fun Fest. The event will take place starting at 11 a.m. and will go until 12:30 p.m.

"It's a great chance for people to enjoy their downtown, to get out there and meet new people, to see old friends, and have a great time," Chamber of Commerce President, and owner of Stewart-Morris Awards, Gifts and Flags, John Morris said. "It's a great way to start the spring off for everybody, residents and businesses alike."

The event is free of charge, and the chamber is encouraging children and their parents to bring their Easter baskets inside the participating businesses to collect the goodies. Those businesses will be easy to pick out, as each will feature a special Easter egg sign and balloons on their doors.

"Residents can expect lots of fun and lots of friendly shop keepers," Morris said.

Bringing a camera may also be a good idea, as children will also be allowed to visit with the roaming Easter Bunny. There will also be multiple giveaways, including a new bicycle donated by Pete Daniele of Rose City Collision and provided by the Madison Bicycle Shop.

The chamber will also be raffling off special gifts provided by other Madison merchants. Those gifts will be displayed on a table on Waverly Place staffed by chamber volunteers.

"Here is another opportunity to support our local merchants and bring some holiday fun into our downtown." said Daniele, who is also the chamber's first vice president, in a release.

For those looking for more information, residents are encouraged to contact Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Meyer at info@madisonnjchamber.org or at 973-377-7830.

"It's great to have lots of people downtown at the same time," Morris said. "It's the first outdoor party of year, especially if the weather is good."