By Anna-Claire Terry
Staff Writer

Easter is just around the corner, and so is Opelika’s annual Easter on the Square event, hosted by Opelika Parks and Recreation. The event will be held Saturday, April 4 at the courthouse square and is open to children second in grade and younger.
There will be three phases of the event. Arts and craft activities will be offered from 10-10:45 a.m.  The “Egg-tivities” include the opportunity for children to make their own Easter bonnets, decorate bags for the egg hunt, get their faces painted and create a sidewalk chalk masterpiece.
The Ultimate Parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. and will be led by the Easter Bunny and the chicken.
The egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m., and the courthouse lawn will be covered with more than 25,000 eggs and candy. Participants are encouraged to be on time for the hunt because the eggs go fast. There will be different sections for different age groups.
There will be Kona Ice and cotton candy for purchase. Professional pictures with the Easter Bunny will also be offered.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
According to  Opelike Parks and Recreation public relations and apecial events coordinator Laura Leigh Chesser, the event attracts about 300-400 children each year. Chesser said one of the activities the children seem to enjoy most is the egg hunt because the excitement shows on their faces when they see the courthouse lawn completely covered with Easter eggs.
“We wanted to provide some fun activities for the community to do. That is the whole purpose of Parks and Recreation, to make Opelika a great place to live,” Chesser said.