BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON –Limited resources have prompted the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce not to hold the pre-Easter Peter Rabbit in the Park event this year.

Traditionally held on the Saturday before Easter Sunday in the Village Park or weather pending in the Canton Pavilion, the event featured an Easter egg hunt, face painting, games and photos with Peter Rabbit. Assisting in the event were students from SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University.

“Pursuant to deliberation among our team, we have decided not to host the Peter Rabbit in the Park event this year. We are putting our focus as a Chamber of Commerce with limited resources on delivering, to the highest quality and impact possible, signature events that bring a clear benefit to our members and the business community,” said Katie Berry, the County Chamber’s Canton Coordinator & Communications Specialist. 

“We do recognize Peter Rabbit in the Park has been an enjoyable event for the people of the Canton community and encourage other local organizations to plan, host, and deliver the continuation of this event in future years,” she stated. “We would be pleased to then provide supportive promotion of this event – and similar events that contribute to the community – a role that more appropriately aligns with our role and overall mission as a Chamber.”

Berry said the County Chamber is pleased with the outcome of Canton Winterfest and is gearing up for Canton Canoe Weekend on May 3-5 and the Dairy Festival set May 31 to June 2.

“We are already in communications with the SLV Paddlers about Canton Canoe Weekend and look forward to promoting and supporting it as an event that is unique to Canton and its history in paddling and boat production, and that can bring in paddling enthusiasts from outside the county and region,” said Berry. “We are also actively planning the Dairy Festival.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or participating in the Dairy Festival may contact Katie Berry at Katie@SLCChamber.org.