By MATTHEW LINDSEY

CANTON -- Nearly 4,000 candy-filled eggs will be hidden at the Canton Pavilion, Lincoln Street, Saturday, March 28, for the “Peter Rabbit in the Pavilion” celebration.

The event, often times taking place in the village park, will be held at the pavilion due to the excessive amount of snow still in the park and the unsafe, muddy conditions it will likely create in the coming weeks. That’s according to event organizer Sally Hill, executive director of the Canton Chamber of Commerce.

“We actually bring around 3,800 eggs to St. Lawrence University and some of their sororities fill all the eggs … it is a huge help and without them this event would not be possible,” she said.

Volunteers from the colleges and around town begin setting up for the egg hunt at 11 a.m., scattering the thousands of plastic eggs for kids to search for.

There will be many "special" eggs hidden among the thousands that will earn the finder an extra prize.

“About 100 college students from SLU and SUNY Canton help keep things organized and moving along. One even dresses up for us as Peter Rabbit to hop around and take photos with kids,” Hill said.

The celebration typically draws around 300 youngsters and their families who will search for the eggs in two separate age groups. The hunt for ages four and under and five to six years old starts at 1 p.m. Sections will marked with foam bumper guards so there is less confusion for the youngsters and their parents, Hill said.

Peter Rabbit will take photos with children and their families starting at 11 a.m.

The fun starts with games and activities led by the college students and a cakewalk slated to begin at noon. The cost is 50 cents for the cakewalk.

“In the past the college kids have done face painting, cookie decorating, planted flower seeds in pots and had ball-toss games…so they will have some stuff to entertain the little ones,” she said.

The chamber will kick off its annual raffle that runs through the summer. In past years they have auctioned off a kayak and this year, after many requests, will raffle off a paddle board, Hill said.

“I hope to see a lot of families out having a good time…be sure to bring your camera for a photo-op with Peter,” Hill said.

To donate or volunteer, contact the chamber at 386-8255.