We’re getting ready for Easter around here, so I think this calls for a Throwback Thursday post dedicated to the Bunny himself!
Historians believe that early German immigrants brought the story of the Easter Bunny to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. He played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the Spring season, similar to the “naughty or nice” list made by Santa Claus. As part of the legend, the creature carries colored eggs in its basket, as well as candy, and sometimes toys, to the homes of children.
The first picture is from 1985 and features four-year-old Alicia Weatherspoon whispering with her new furry friend outside Paddington Station, where he was giving some Easter treats to young passersby. Pictures with the Easter Bunny at Paddington have been a tradition for many decades, and Pam Hammond has the following fond memories:
“When she handed over the business, [former owner] Judy asked Don and I to keep the memories coming from the magic of the Easter Bunny photos. In the early days we took the pictures on film and developed them at Frodsham’s or Rocket Photo- a big undertaking keeping them all straight and communicating with our guests for photo pickups! In the early years I wore the costume and one year when our son, Nick, was around 3, Don brought him to sit on my lap for a photo. Nick took one look at me screamed and ran away- oh those family memories! We do actually have a picture of Nick on the bunnies lap a year later…”