Te Puke Easter Trail a way for retailers to give back to the community

Jo Reid of Te Puke Art Society prepares the picture that kids on the town's Easter Trail will be able to colour in.

It's never more than a short hop to anywhere in Te Puke town centre — and next week the Easter Bunny will be here, waiting at the end of the town's Easter Trail with goodies for those who have taken part.

Epic Te Puke's Easter Trail is on again next Wednesday. The trail starts at the library, where sheets of questions can be collected. The number of questions to be answered will depend on each child's age.

From the library the trail heads across Jellicoe St as far as Oxford St and takes in Palmer Place, with questions relating to the businesses passed along the way.

There will be activities in the Heritage Walkway, and Te Puke Art Society will have a colouring station at Constables Gallery in Commerce Lane, where a giant rabbit drawing can be brought to life. The society is also organising a colouring-in competition.

On Jubilee Park the Te Puke Gymsport will set up some of its equipment for youngsters to try and there will also be a petting zoo — with bunnies — and face painting.

Epic Te Puke marketing manager Rebecca Larsen says some retailers will also be organising their own competitions.

The Easter Bunny will be waiting at the trail's end, Te Puke New World, with Easter eggs for each completed set of questions and a photo booth where he will pose with children.

Rebecca is encouraging everyone to dress in Easter theme, with spot prizes given out randomly along the trail.

She says the trail represents a Happy Easter message from retailers.

"Easter is a time for new life and new beginnings and the trail is about getting out into the community and having fun as well," she says.

The event will wrap up around 5.30pm, giving people plenty of time to complete the questions.

"There's no hurry, people can do it in their own time."

She reminds people to take care when crossing the roads around the town centre.