Brunches, egg hunts, festivals and photo ops are among the many ways to celebrate Easter in central Arkansas. The activities get started this weekend with Easter Bunny sightings and the Clinton Center's incredibly popular egg hunt (March 23). Keep checking back as we add even more events next week!

Easter Bunny Sightings

Easter Bunny at McCain Mall -- The fluffy rabbit visits with children in the McCain Mall Center Court, and poses for pictures with young fans March 16-30. Hours for bunny visits are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. and 12:30-6 p.m. Sun. The mall will be closed to observe Easter on March 31.

Easter Bunny at Park Plaza Mall -- Hippity-Hoppity entertains at Park Plaza near Dillard's East from March 16-30. Snap pictures and say hello from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat. and noon-6 p.m. Sun.

Easter Bunny at The Promenade at Chenal -- From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 30, head to the fountain in front of Charming Charlie and snap a photo (for free!) with the Easter Bunny. Then, go for a ride on The Promenade Express, a special trackless train that zips around the shopping center. For info: ChenalShopping.com. FREE!

Easter Celebrations

Saturday, March 23

Easter Family Festival and Egg Hunt at Clinton Presidential Center -- From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Center hosts its 8th Annual Easter Family Festival, which is patterned after the highly popular "White House Easter Egg Roll." The festival will include Arkansas's largest "green" egg hunt, children's activities, crafts and games, music, food vendors, informational booths, petting zoo, and photos with the Easter bunny. This year's Easter Family Festival is sponsored by Entergy, and all eggs made of 100 percent recycled content. Rain date is Sunday, March 24, from 1 –4 p.m. For info: (501) 374-4242, ClintonPresidentialCenter.org. FREE!

Sunday, March 24

Easter Brunch at Forty Two -- The Center's on-site restaurant, Forty Two, will have for a special Sunday Brunch for Easter from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The brunch will consist of breakfast favorites and several made-to-order stations, which include seafood, carved meats, salads, pastas and omelets. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. $24.95, children 12 and under $9.99, children 4 and under free. For info: (501) 537-0042.

Saturday, March 30

8th Annual Dog-Gone Easter Egg Hunt at MacArthur Park Foster Pavilion -- See the brand-new dog park at MacArthur Park, and let your pooch hunt for over 5,000 hidden eggs every filled with prizes or doggie treats. Registration starts at noon; hunt begins at 1 p.m. For more information call Angels' Care Animal Rescue at (501) 544-1057.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Burns Park in North Little Rock -- This year's event will be held at Pavilion #10 in Burns Park from 9-11 a.m. The hunt is divided into four groups for ages 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and a hunt for special needs children. Attendees can enter prize drawings, play games, take part in activities and snap photos opportunities with the Easter Bunny. For info: (501) 753-7307, NLRPR.org. FREE!

Bunny Breakfast at Bravo! Cucina Italiana at the Promenade at Chenal -- From 9-10:30 a.m., families can enjoy a special plate lunch, as they take photos with the Easter Bunny and engage in themed activities for kids. Reservations suggested. $11.95, children $5.95. For info: (501) 821-2485.

Breakfast or Lunch with the Easter Bunny at the Little Rock Zoo -- Feast on Easter lunch or breakfast with the egg-toting rabbit himself at The Little Rock Zoo. Children can dress in their Easter duds to pose for pictures with the honorable guest and meet some other animal friends. For dessert, visitors will decorate a holiday-themed cookie. Hands-on activities continue with an egg basket-making craft. Advance tickets required. For info: (501) 661-7218, LittleRockZoo.com.

Easter Egg Hunt at St. James United Methodist Church -- Hop on inflatables, nibble free food, take snapshots with the Easter Bunny and, of course, go on a hunt for Easter eggs. 10 a.m. For info: (501) 217-6700, StJames-UMC.org.

Easter Tea at Ashley's at the Capital Hotel -- From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., families are invited to feast on vanilla macarons, rasberry and lemon tartes, raisin scones, coffee eclairs, strawberry with double cream and more pastries (only after finishing off a light sandwich, of course). In addition to the decadent eats, little ones will enjoy a special visit from the Easter Bunny. $35, children 12 and under $20. For info and reservations: (501) 370-7015, Lingold@CapitalHotel.com.

Eggstravaganza at First NLR --From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., toddlers, preschoolers and elementary-age kids can take part in ongoing egg hunts with thousands of eggs. They'll also be able to take a spin on carnival rides, bounce in giant inflatables, take a train ride, play games and more. Plus, snack on free hot dogs and soft drinks and pose for pics with the Easter Bunny. For info: (501) 758-8553, FirstNLR.com. FREE!

FaithSpring Church Easter Egg-stravaganza -- Hop over to the Fourth Annual Easter Eggstravaganza at FaithSpring Church from 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy the egg derby, egg hunt, crafts, games, jumps, photo booth, food and more! Come one, come all. Enjoy the fun! For info: (501) 223-3300, FaithSpringChurch.org. FREE!

Hop on Over Easter Party at ArkansasBlue in Shackleford Crossings -- Families can enjoy games with Radio Disney, have pictures taken with the Easter Bunny and BlueAnn Ewe (the Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield mascot), register for prizes. Attendees will get the chance to win a one-year family membership to the Little Rock Zoo and Museum of Discovery. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For info: ArkansasBlueCross.com. FREE!

Peter Rabbit's Eggstra-Ordinary Easter Egg Hunt at Trinity United Methodist Church -- Trinity UMC hosts a hippity-hoppity egg hunt for little ones from 10-11:30 a.m. For info: (501) 666-2813, TUMCLR.org. FREE!

Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church Community Easter Egg Hunt at The Bernice Garden -- The QQUMC welcomes the whole neighborhood for an egg hunt (featuring candy- and prize-filled eggs) and hot dog cookout. Youngsters can also go on free pony rides. Or, meet animals in the petting zoo from Take the Lead Academy in Conway. Bandito the donkey (a yearly favorite) will be joined by sheep, goats, rabbits and maybe even a llama. The Easter Bunny plans to hop in for a few photos, too. For info: QQUMC.org. FREE!

Spring Garden Party at Dunbar Community Garden -- Dunbar hosts its first ever Easter Egg Hunt (for children ages 10 and under). In addition to the hunt, families can have their faces painted, pet baby goats, listen to tunes by Audrey Dean Kelley, snack on treats made by the garden staff and lap up sweet treats from Loblolly Creamery. 2-4 p.m. $5, children FREE!

Sunday, March 31

Community Easter Sunrise Service at Riverfest Amphitheater -- Rise early and head to this 7 a.m. sunrise service, held at the RiverFest Amphitheater overlooking the Arkansas River. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the event, and participants will include Gov. Mike Beebe, former Miss Arkansas Sharon Bale, Fox news anchor Donna Terrell and former Arkansas Razorback football player Anthony Lucas. Music will be provided by choirs from Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, North Little Rock High School and Philander Smith College. In the event of rain, the service will be held under the cover of the Farmers Market. The service will be broadcast on KATV Channel 7 live at 7 a.m. For info: (501) 664-3600, CommunitySunriseService.com. FREE!

Easter Canoe Float at Pinnacle Mountain State Park -- Spend Easter appreciating nature on this serene float from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Take off from the Little Maumelle boat launch and experience the beauty of spring on this guided 4.5-mile float. No paddling experience is required, but you should be comfortable around water. Fee includes use of canoe, paddles, and life jackets. Bring a lunch and water. Advance payment required. $35 per canoe. For info: (501) 868-5806, ArkansasStateParks.com/PinnacleMountain.

Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch at The Peabody Little Rock -- Enjoy a special brunch with the family from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Peabody Little Rock's Capriccio Grill. Choose from lots of scrumptious selections, like chicken breast with Marsala mushroom sauce and oven-roasted red snapper in a Cajun court bouillon. Tots have their own options on the children's menu. $44.95, children ages 6-11 $15.95, ages 5 and under free. For info and reservations: (501) 399-8062.

Lunch with the Easter Bunny at the Little Rock Zoo -- See description on March 30.

Sunday, April 7

Holy Hilarity Easter Celebration for Kids at First United Methodist Church -- At this late Easter celebration, kids can enjoy entertainment by Brian & Terri Kinder of Kindersongs and FUMC's very own Tween Club 56 Band. Plus, play games with Camp Tanako's great staff, climb on a low ropes course and splash in a Bubble Pit (bring a towel -- it's messy fun). Plus, enjoy Country Critter's Petting Zoo, the Arkansas Game & Fish Aquarium, a Hillbilly Dunking Booth, great food, popcorn, games and more. 3-5 p.m. For info: FUMCLR.org.