Carmichael sisters Eleanor (left) and Alice Lemcke befriend a big-eared VIP at Carmichael Park. Nearly 250 children and parents enjoyed the annual “Breakfast with a Bunny” Easter celebration last weekend. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – The Easter Bunny hippity-hopped and skippity-skipped into town last Saturday, April 4. In celebration of Easter, pancakes flew off the griddle at Carmichael Park.

Kiwanis Club volunteers flipped, sizzled and served. In pastel-hued waves, families wafted into the community clubhouse to enjoy the Park District’s Breakfast with a Bunny event.

Dapper Peter Cottontail's grotto was decked with balloon carrots and spring flowers. At $5 per guest, admission included fan photos, craft opportunities, goodie bags and a calorific breakfast. The annual event has replaced frantic (and injury-prone) egg hunts of yore.

Carmichael Kiwanis Club volunteers provide the pancake crew for an Easter breakfast at Carmichael Park Clubhouse. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Proceeds benefit Kiwanis Family House – a Sacramento facility that provides accommodation for families during children's treatment at the UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

At the rock star rabbit’s hop, nearly a thousand pancakes were served. Rivers of maple syrup flowed. Gallons of coffee and orange juice were chugged. Scores of kids queued for bunny hugs and photos. 

By noon, an exhausted lapin quietly left for his burrow. Cottontail dragging, the spring visitor sloped off down the bunny trail. That’s all, folks.

Event sponsors included: Carmichael Parks Foundation; Carmichael Park District; Buck Family Automotive; Carmichael Kiwanis Club; Supervisor Rich Desmond.