By MATT LINDSEY

CANTON -- The Peter Rabbit in the Park celebration has been cancelled for this year.

The event was scratched because of scheduling conflicts with spring break that caused a shortage of college student volunteers, said Canton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sally Hill.

The celebration, which attracts 250 to 300 children each year, is always held the week before Easter. This year, the St. Lawrence University scheduled their spring break later than usual creating the issue for the event.

“Around 75 students would volunteer each year and without their help the board decided to cancel this year,” Hill said.

This is the first time since the event was created over 10 years ago that Hill could remember it being cancelled.

The board discussed moving the event up a week but could not secure the Canton Pavilion as a site because their is still ice in the arena.

“There is still too much ice in the park to do it there as well,” she said.

Hill said that the chamber feels bad and they will miss hosting the event as it is a lot fun.

“We would rather cancel than put on an unorganized event with not enough help,” she said.

Hill said college students would fill the eggs, hide them around the park, help kids search for them and offer games to keep kids entertained.

“With nearly 300 kids you need a lot of help, Hill said.”

“I know there are a few other egg hunts around…one at the mall (in Massena) and Classy Collectibles in Canton is holding one too,” Hill said.