As some of you may know, I went through an extensive audition and call-back process and just found out a week ago that I’d be playing the career-defining role of the Easter Bunny.

What a hoot! I got the costume this morning, pranced around for about twenty minutes, giving kids little toys and treats, taking pictures, and bringing joy!

More pictures and stories below! Click ‘continued’

It was comfortable, but very warm. I had to take off the headband because it got messed up and instead I put my hair in a ponytail… which also got messed up. About halfway through this little jaunt my hair came undone and got very sweaty and I had difficulty seeing. I would imagine most mascots do not have long hair… it’s very tricky.

Little bunny FooFoo…

This batch of kids seemed to know that I was not “real”, per se, but that I was real enough for them to get treats. I guess when I leaned over, they could see my long hair (not cut yet) and suggested the Easter Bunny had seen a stylist.

Don’t be scared, little child.

It was around this point that one boy was adamant to his mother that I was not a real bunny, but in fact a man in a bunny suit. Now, flattered as I was to be called a man, I could not help but be saddened that my bunny hops and tail wags and wiggling could not spark this little guy’s imagination.

They liked that I was skipping and joined in. Of course, since I had no peripheral vision, I heard this story from my parents.

People seemed genuinely surprised that the bunny skipped so well instead of hopping.

The head I had on was really enormous, so much so that any movement up and down sent it crashing into the top of my head. Skipping was the best compromise between my safety and being an endearing creature.

Though the up and down movements were magnified, side to side was really negated. Little ones would yell for the Easter Bunny and I would look with my normal head, but the bunny facade moved not! It was a little hopeless.

You may not be able to see it, but that dog is licking its lips. I walked over to it and wiggled a bit and it started to foam at the mouth.

Needless to say, I backed down a bit.

Don’t ignore me! I’m offering you free things! They’re free!

After being turned down, I took my over-sized novelty paws and began to wipe away bunny tears. The parents enjoyed my little gag, but I think I might have been a little too alarmingly big for some of the children. I would try to pat some on the head and offer them trinkets, but to no avail.

At one point I encountered this small, stuffed bunny on one of the tables and began to pet it. A parent asked if it was my cousin, and I nodded vigorously!

Some children got hugs and were amazed by my softness, and I even got a little skater punk to take a picture with me.

I moonwalked.

What a nice little event, feels good to be a part of the neighborhood.

<3