BIDDEFORD — On Saturday at Rotary Park, 3-year-old Ava Pimpare of Arundel and 4-year-old Laura Huff of Dayton were petting a bunny in a top hat as they waited in line to begin hunting for Easter eggs, which Parks and Recreation Department staff hid around the area. The young girls were old pros at the Easter event, they’ve been several times before, said Pimpare’s grandmother and Huff’s aunt Kathy Walsch of Arundel.

She said she likes to accompany the children because “it’s a great opportunity for kids to get out do some Easter activities.”

The live bunny, which many of the children were taking turns petting, belongs to Mr. Magic, an entertainer who attracted a crowd as he made balloon animals and handed them out.

There were rabbits galore at the Easter event. The Easter Bunny ”“ played by Parks and Recreation staffer Melissa Warren, who donned the bunny costume this year ”“ was walking around, greeting children and posing for pictures with them. Some Easter bunny wooden cutouts were also on hand, so children could stick their heads in the face cut-outs and pose as the holiday hare.

The event even attracted some out-of-towners: Emmett Farrell, 5, from Brooklyn, N.Y., participated in the egg hunt with his family. He said he was having fun looking for Easter eggs and was looking forward to eating the candy inside.

Lots of local residents also came out to the event as well. Tammy Fleurent, her husband, and four of their daughters, Maddy, 7, Bella, 6, Jada, 4, and Natalie, 2, said they were having a good time.

“It’s a great thing,” said Fleurent. “I know the girls are enjoying it. I was amazed at how many people came.”

She said she and her family were also planning to go the arts organization Engine’s Main Street gallery to watch the free movie “Hop” to celebrate the holiday. The movie, rated PG, is about a rabbit named E.B. who was destined to be the Easter Bunny, but who sets out for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream to be a rock and roll drummer.

This is the 15th year of the Easter egg hunt, said Parks and Recreation Department Director Carl Walsh. More than 250 children registered for the event, and with their friends and family members he estimated more than 800 people showed up.

It’s a nice family event, said Walsh.

While the event has taken place for many years, this year, for the first time, the department was working with the downtown revitalization organization Heart of Biddeford, which provided financial assistance, allowing local residents to attend the egg hunt for free.

In the past, the charge was $2. This year only non-residents were charged.

In addition, said Walsh, through the Heart of Biddeford, Reny’s department store donated candy for the event.

Delilah Poupore, the executive director of the HOB, said the organization was planning an Easter egg hunt of its own in the downtown, but after talking with Walsh decided to donate the funds that would have been used for that toward the Rotary Park event and then hold a scavenger hunt on Main Street instead.

For the Main Street event, children were given game cards that they filled in as they spotted bunnies in various poses in storefront windows.

“That was fun,” she said. “It got people in the mood for spring.”

The event was a good way to get people to notice downtown businesses as well as provide a nice, free activity for families, she said.

HOB also sponsored the movie, while Engine donated the space.

Engine Executive Director Tammy Ackerman said in an email that her organization got involved because, “We want to support downtown events that bring people together, much like the photo exhibition Engine hosted during La Fete d’Hiver. We’re not just (a) gallery, but a community arts organization, with emphasis on the word ”˜community.’”

Beverages were donated by Jonesy’s Main Street Cafe, and the Community Bicycle Center donated two bicycles as prizes.

Other groups that help with the egg hunt included Biddeford-based Community Partners, Inc. and the Jobs for Maine Graduate students at Biddeford High School.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.