T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Volunteers and St. Clairsville city employees and officials join in packing some Easter boxes for children and seniors for an upcoming parade Sunday. Pictured in front are Mayor Kathryn Thalman, left, and Daneen Clark. Behind them from left are administrative assistant Jennifer McMillen, Addy Conner, police Officer Greg Clark and Isaiah Keevert, Lisa Williams-Duvall, Greg Duvall and Sam Fregiato.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Put on your Easter bonnet — St. Clairsville will welcome the Easter Bunny Sunday with a parade through the city to mark the holiday.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman worked with volunteers Monday at the mayor’s office, packing items for older and younger residents who might need some springtime cheer.

“We’re helping Easter Bunny, and we’re putting some boxes and baskets together to help our buddy EB as we like to call him,” she said. “He will be coming around town next Sunday — Palm Sunday — and he’ll be riding through to say ‘Happy Easter’ to all the kids in town. Plus, we will be visiting some of the children, and we will also be stopping in to say hi and happy Easter to some of our citizens in the nursing homes. We’ve got a lot of little good buddies helping us now to fill treat baskets.”

Thalman commended the work of volunteers and a city policeman in preparing for the event.

“This was all put together by Officer Greg Clark,” she said.

Clark added that the visiting bunny would hop by Fox Run Center for Children and Adolescents to provide some treats and Easter comfort.

“We’re hitting the nursing homes and also some residences,” Clark said.

He added that 72 Easter boxes were being filled for delivery.

“Everything was donated by local businesses,” Clark said.

He thanked State Farm, Edward Jones Investments, Riesbeck’s Food Market, Bellstores, the St. Clairsville post of the American Legion, private donors and others.

“The community came together for us.”

The mayor agreed.

“A lot of local businesses helped to make this possible. We are very blessed in St. Clairsville. We have a lot of good friends in town, and we are all looking forward to next week,” Thalman said.

Thalman added these types of holiday activities have been welcomed by residents, particularly following years of lockdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic and some cold days.

“The kids seem to love it,” she added. “We’ve had a long, yucky winter and it’s time to start toward spring, so we’re happy to have this chance to help Easter Bunny welcome spring in.”

“If anybody knows somebody that needs an Easter Basket, call us and we’ll get it to them,” Clark said.

The city office can be reached at 740-695-1324.

Thalman said the parade route likely will be down Main Street, past Riesbeck’s and through Forest Hills Healthcare & Rehabilitation, and back to the Senior Suites. The full route will be posted on the city website at stclairsville.com.