Brunch with the Bunny sets mood for Easter at Lake County History Center

William Tilton, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Mar. 26—Brunch with the Bunny serves multiple purposes for the Lake County History Center.

First and foremost, the event provides a chance for kids to meet the Easter Bunny while families enjoy a flavor-filled meal.

It also gives the center, located in Painesville Township, a chance to show off the renovated Event Barn located behind the main building.

In its second year, Brunch with the Bunny consists of a total of six sessions, the final two being held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 1 and 2.

The Event Barn provides a welcoming atmosphere for the brunch with ample seating. Organizers expect close to 300 people total over the course of the six brunches.

Rachel Todd of Mentor-on-the-Lake brought her 18-month-old daughter, Aisley Ader, to see the Easter Bunny and for brunch on March 26.

Aisley had previously seen him at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor.

Todd — a graduate of Painesville Riverside High School, just up the street from the center — was impressed not only with the event but also with the new look of the Event Barn.

"As soon as we walked in, everything was just beautiful," Todd said. "This is a very nice event."

Brunch with the Bunny features pictures with the guest of honor, and families are treated to a buffet-style meal of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, salad, fruit, pizza and macaroni and cheese.

In addition, kids got to go home with an Easter Egg Hunt Kit.

Lake County History Center Marketing Coordinator Barb Mohner said with unpredictable March weather coupled with wet grounds, the Easter Egg Hunt Kit was more sensible than an actual hunt after the brunch.

"This gives more families a chance to enjoy time together, and it gives us a chance to show people we're here and what the new barn has to offer as a place to hold events," Mohner said. "All the children seem to be having a good time, and the reception has been very positive and people seem happy."

The Lake County History Center also recently hosted its second annual Breakfast with Santa, which is held in the main building before guests make their way to the Event Barn to create ornaments in a festively decorated setting.

Mohner said they are learning as they go with the event, such as possibly tweaking the 1 p.m. brunch offerings because it seems to be getting late in the day for some of the younger children.

"We'd like this to be an annual event," Mohner said. "That is the idea."