SMART holding annual Bunny Trail on April 8 for the city of St. Marys
The Wayne Street United Methodist Church and the St. Marys Area Resource Team (SMART) are teaming up for the Bunny Trail that will be taking place in downtown St. Marys. The event will be Sat. Apr. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and will feature an Easter Egg Hunt in Memorial Park, after which families can explore downtown businesses and look for treats starting at 10:30 a.m..
“We want to engage the kids and enjoy some nice weather, and to be part of the St. Marys Community,” said Pastor Tim Benjamin, Pastor of the Wayne Street United Methodist Church. Pastor Benjamin said that having kids engage with community events is the best way to do it. “Plus I get to dress up as a 6’ rabbit.”
According to Laura Yelton, one of the founders of SMART and who runs the Laura Yelton State Farm Insurance Agency in St. Marys, the event went on for a long time in St. Marys prior to its current run.
“We intended to bring it back in 2020, but we all know how that went, so we began it again in 2021,” said Yelton. She said that on average, the event will see between 500 to 800 participants.
The event is for children aged through the fourth grade, with the hunt being divided into age groups. After the hunt, children of any age will be able to ‘hop’ along the bunny trail on Spring Street, from Wayne Street to Spruce Street, to stop by thirty plus local businesses that are participating in the event.
“We’ve had great weather the past two years, so we are keeping our fingers crossed,” said Amy Lauth of SMART and Office Manager at Plus One Professionals Real Estate, then continued. “Its good to see everyone downtown after the long winter. Its just good for the soul to give back to the community and the kids.”
The community is a big reason that Pastor Benjamin things the event is important.
“Here in St. Marys its fundamental, its the basis of what we do here. Be it through the school, churches, civic, or community organizations,” said Pastor Benjamin. He said that the city places big value on togetherness, and that its one of the biggest strengths of the community. “Every change we get, we build that strength, develop it, and get better.”
The event is open to the public, and anyone can attend the event, but attendees should bring their own bag for the hunt.
“We want everybody to show up. We’ve got more eggs than I can possibly count,” said Pastor Benjamin.
“Candy, small prizes, and special eggs with coupons, or a card to exchange for a larger gift from a local business,” said Lauth. Pastor Benjamin explained some of the contents as well.
“We’ve got some pool passes, mini golf, and some other gifts from merchants,” said Pastor Benjamin. He said that the event will be a fund time for the community where everyone can come together. “Just a fun time, we’re just hoping mother nature smiles down upon us as well.”
“It creates a lot of fun and energy, and of course kids like getting free stuff,” said Yelton. She said that the feedback they love to hear, is also the kind that SMART was founded to promote. “We love to hear that participants didn’t know about a business that was downtown. Some of our newest businesses, they hear that people didn’t know they we’re there. That is the premise of SMART, to create that visibility.”