Easter Bunny arrives later this month at Eastdale Mall

The arrival of the bunny is just one of the activities surrounding Easter at Eastdale Mall this spring.

Children can visit and take photos with the Easter Bunny from March 25 through April 15 at the mall where the Easter Egg-Spress train also will be running.

The popular bunny will arrive at 11 a.m. on March 25 when the K Lynn Figure Skaters will perform whimsical vignettes as part of his grand arrival, said Allison Hendley, marketing director for the mall.

Once the fury favorite makes his way to his home at the Tea Pot Garden, the Ice Palace will be open to the public again.

"Following the Easter Bunny's magical arrival on ice, the Easter Bunny will make his way to his Tea Pot Garden located at the Eastdale Mall Centre Court, complete with spring flowers and so much more," Hendley said.

People can find portrait pricing on the Eastdale Mall website, eastdale-mall.com.

An April 8, an Easter egg hunt will be another opportunity for children 10 and under to enjoy activities at the mall.

The hunt starts at 11 a.m. outside in front of Chuck E. Cheese.

"There will be over 1,000 hidden eggs and a golden egg with a special prize inside," Hendley said.

The event is open to the public and tickets are $5 each, and can be purchased at customer service or upon arrival. Proceeds from the event benefit the Easter Seals of Central Alabama.

Children also will be able to enjoy inflatables and face painting, provided by the Eastdale Mall Teen Team, as well as cookie preparation.

For the first time, children can help employees at the Great American Cookie Co. prepare cookies shaped like Easter bunnies and Easter eggs.

"We will have colored icing so we recommend parents assisting the children. It’s not messy but we recommend children wear causal

clothes," Hendley said. "We will have the cookie tables out at 11 a.m., and are able to decorate throughout the entire event. People can eat the delicious cookies at the hunt or take them home."

Easter Bunny hours are Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sun. from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Easter pictures with live bunnies will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

People can contact customer service to book a field trip to see the Easter Bunny. Chick-fil-A and Subway will offer lunch specials for school field trips.

The mall's new anchor store, At Home, is now open and is selling Easter décor.