Vacaville families can have eggs delivered, schedule visit by dancing Easter Bunny

“We can still meet the needs of the community in a safe, fun way.” — Kristin Milliken

Last year’s Easter was a different holiday for families due to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than visiting relatives for Easter egg hunts, they were mostly done in family’ backyards or held virtually.

However, no matter where things stand by the time Easter rolls around April 4, Vacaville’s Parks and Recreation Department wants to ensure that families have a more joyous holiday. Families can sign up to have candy-filled eggs delivered — with the option of a dancing bunny to go along withit.

The city will be hosting its first Bunny Hip Hop and Drop-off April 3.

Kristin Milliken, the city’s special events and cultural arts coordinator, said the idea began with a play on words. The department had already been planning to do an egg drop-off and also recently hired a new instructor, Jennifer Riddick, for its hip-hop dance class and wanted a way to promote her course.

Originally, she said the event was called the “Bunny Pop and Drop,” but in figuring out a way to promote Riddick’s hip-hop class — and emphasizing that rabbits largely move by hopping — it was renamed the Bunny Hip Hop and Drop-off.

“It just took on this real playful event,” she said.

Families will have three options. The first is the “egg” option, where families can have a dozen eggs hidden in their yard for $15. For an additional $5, they can purchase a dozen more eggs. The eggs will be personally delivered by Parks and Rec staff, who will have a decorated van.

The second option is the “basket” option, where six eggs will be hidden in the yard and the other six will be placed in a basket with other goodies — including a flier for Riddick’s hip-hop class. This option is $25, and an additional basket can be purchased for $10 while more eggs can be purchased for $5.

Finally, families can purchase the “bunny” option, where they receive six eggs in a basket and six eggs in the yard for $35. Where it differs from the previous options is the appearance of Riddick and two hip-hop dancers performing a minute-long dance to a version of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” instead retitled “Hoppy.” This option will also feature an appearance by Miss Bunny Bonnet, Vacaville’s resident Easter Bunny, doing some hiphop moves. Parents may also purchase an additional dozen eggs for $5 or another basket for $10.

Milliken said staff will still be adhering to social distancing guidelines, so families are advised to stand in their doorways or on the sidewalks during the Easter Bunny and her crew’s visit. Since space is limited for the bunny option, Milliken suggests neighbors who live in courts go in the basket option and go out in the streets during any bunny visits.

“We could get Easter in your neighborhoods,” she said.

Milliken hopes the event will bring families “a sense of normalcy.”

“I think the community really needs something, and that’s what we want to do,” she said. “Whatever the community is feeling comfortable with, we have an option for that. If you just want eggs and no contact (or) if you want a little special appearance by Easter Bunny herself, we can do that from the doorway and we can still do that in a safe way. We can still meet the needs of the community in a safe, fun way.”

Deliveries will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and noon April 3. Families can register by choosing one of the three options by March 26 at Cityofvacaville.com/ events or by calling 4696685. Parks staff will call families ahead of the event to schedule a specific time after an order is placed.