Bunny Bash brings kids to CAC campus in 2nd year

The second annual Bunny Bash had Central Arizona College’s Maricopa campus egg-stra lively as families flocked in for an afternoon of festive fun.

The Easter event is becoming a springtime tradition, bringing in the Maricopa community with free activities, music, giveaways and of course, a visit from Hoppy the Bunny.

Hosted from 12 to 5:30 p.m. today, the event drew a steady crowd of children and parents eager to snap photos with Hoppy and CAC’s own mascot, Vaquero Pete. For many families, it was a meaningful alternative to miles to the nearest mall bunny photo option.

“With no malls here, parents used to have to drive all the way into the Valley,” said Irene Esquivel, CAC’s student services director and organizer of the event. “So, we created Bunny Bash to give local families something festive and fun right here in Maricopa.”

Kids wore bunny ears of their own or dressed in their finest pastels to collect their treat bags filled with candy eggs and coloring supplies. The children were able to sit and draw, meet local vendors and dance to kid-friendly pop songs.

“We try to do events like this on Wednesdays because schools let out early.” said Esquivel, noting the growing turnout. “This is only our second year, and the response has been incredible.”

It was the perfect escape for young families like Myla Kazim’s.

“This is our first year and we love it,” said the Glennwilde resident, surrounded by kids eager to see the next table.

And it wasn’t just kids who got in on the fun. Hudson, a golden doodle CAC police dog-in-training, was almost as popular as the Easter bunny.

As the bunny made one last round of appearances for photos, Esquivel smiled at the bustling scene.

“It’s been a good wave,” she said.

For more information about future events at CAC Maricopa, contact Irene Esquivel at [email protected] or 520-494-6406.