The pandemic won't be chasing away Peter Cotton Tail this year.

What started as a small Easter Bunny visit in Adams Township has turned into an Easter extravaganza. The Easter Bunny will be visiting residents of Adams, Mars, Valencia, Callery, Seven Fields, Evans City and Middlesex on Friday and Saturday.

The idea for a bunny visit began Monday morning, when Adams Township Supervisor Chairman Russell Ford talked about doing something nice for the community with Haley Geyer, parks and recreation director.

“(We thought,) 'What can we do to brighten the community?'” said Ford, spokesman for the event. “It's bloomed.”

While driving around, the bunny will have a first responder escort that includes police, fire and EMS departments from the seven municipalities. Ford said this is an important time to recognize and thank emergency personnel for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our first responders are on the front lines,” Ford said.

The Easter Bunny won't be bringing candy or eggs on his visits, but people are welcome to wave and take pictures.

Ford said he and other community leaders ask residents to practice social distancing when they see the bunny. Families should stay in their yards while the bunny passes by.

The event is a tribute to how people are working together during the pandemic, according to Ford.

“We're all binding together, communitywise,” Ford said. “There's no reason to leave any kid behind.”

The bunny will start hopping about 4 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. The bunny's route is being adjusted to reach as many residents as possible.

“We have expected (visit) times,” Ford said. “We picked a lot of housing plans.”

For information about visit times and locations, residents should check the Mars Community Facebook forum, visit individual municipal websites or call Adams Township at 724-625-2221. Ford said visit information will be updated by Thursday morning.