Staff Writer



MARIETTA - Eden Farms is celebrating Easter with some very big bunnies.



The farm hosts an Easter Eggstravaganza 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday March 22.



Admission to the special event is $10 per child. Parents are free.



"This is the second year we've done it," said Marketing Supervisor Katie Schmidt.



The special day features wagon and bunny rides with Eden Farms' special four-legged bunnies.



"We dress up our horses with bunny ears and noses for the day," Schmidt said. "The kids can do a quick arena ride or go for a wagon ride with our Belgian Draft horse Goliath."



It wouldn't be an Eggstravaganza without an Easter egg hunt, so Eden Farms is doing three.



"We've split them up into three age groups," Schmidt said. "Children three and below, then K4 through first grade and then second grade and up."



Special prize eggs will be scattered for children to find.



"We're giving away Eden Farms T-shirts and other items," Schmidt said.



The Easter Bunny herself will be on hand all day, she said.



During the event, children can get creative with Easter arts and crafts, she said.



"We'll be making stencils, bookmarks, bead necklaces and macaroni necklaces and bracelets," Schmidt said.



A professional face painter will on hand, Schmidt said.



"She does really extensive masks," she said. "She's just incredible."



Local minister Pam Patrick Cole will tell the story of Easter during the event, she said.



A special bake sale will be conducted by mothers of Eden Farms' students, Schmidt said.



Proceeds from the Eggstravaganza benefit Happy Hooves Therapeutic Equestrian Center, housed at Eden Farms.



"Happy Hooves is our non-profit," Schmidt said. "We do therapeutic riding."



Happy Hooves staff work with special needs children, she said.



"We have different programs that we do with them, dealing with autism, cerebral palsy, muscular disorders and behavioral disorders," Schmidt said.



The School at the Barn program works with students from Simpson Academy and Pickens Elementary School, she said.



"They come out every Friday and have class here," Schmidt said. "We also do regular therapy, bringing the kids out here and getting them on the horses."



The Building Dreams program helps children communicate better, Schmidt said.



"In a more positive way," she said.



Happy Hooves started in 2001, Schmidt said.



"It's the reason the farm opened," she said. "Happy Hooves is the whole point."



Cameras are welcome at the farm during the Eggstravaganza, Schmidt said.



Eden Farms has limited parking, so families are encouraged to carpool, Schmidt said.



Eden Farms is located at 4700 Dacusville Hwy, Marietta.



For more information, call Eden Farms at 898-0043 or visit www.edenfarms.net

Reach Jason Evans at jevans@theeasleyprogress.com or 855-0355.