Unlike most who eagerly greeted and hugged the giant, furry Easter bunny visiting Belmont Center on March 28, Otis looked a bit wary.
However, the docile pup sat obediently in the white rabbit’s arms and posed for a photo while wearing his own bunny ears.
Vicki Frassica, owner of A Chocolate Dream on Leonard Street, said she and the Belmont Center Business Association have been organizing the holiday event for the past four years. This year it was sponsored by Leading Edge Real Estate.
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Vasily, 5 months, and his mom Carla got a chance to meet the Easter bunny on March 28, on Leonard Street in Belmont Center. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
Workers at the Toy Shop of Belmont, from left, Valentina Garcia-Joseph, Camryn Rosenfeld and, right, Shelley MacDonald, got a chance to meet the Easter bunny on March 28, at the store. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
Nicolas Key, 2, and his dad Ben got a chance to meet the Easter bunny on March 28, on Leonard Street in Belmont Center. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
Stella and her dog Spark got a chance to meet the Easter bunny on March 28, on Leonard Street in Belmont Center. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
Front, from left, Charles, 11; Jamie, 8; Skye, 6; and their mom (back) got a chance to meet the Easter bunny on March 28, on Leonard Street in Belmont Center. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
Robin, 1, and her mom Brenda Lovette, got a chance to meet the Easter bunny on March 28, on Leonard Street in Belmont Center. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
The Easter bunny – aka Braiden Dargon – and his assistant, Camryn Rosenfeld, walked down Leonard Street on March 28, to greet kids and hand out candy-filled eggs. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
Will Rogers, 9, got a chance to meet the Easter bunny on March 28, at the Toy Shop of Belmont. (Julie M. Cohen/Belmont Voice)) 
The Easter bunny met the Easter dog – aka Otis – on March 28, on Leonard Street in Belmont Center. (Photo: Julie M. Cohen)
“This event has really become such a special community tradition. It brings so many people into Belmont Center,” said Frassica. “Every year it gets bigger and better.”
She estimated the Easter bunny’s assistant, Camryn Rosenfeld, who works at the Toy Shop of Belmont, handed out more than 200 plastic eggs filled with candy.
Fortunately for the tall rabbit — also known as Braiden Dargon — the weather wasn’t too hot because it would be easy to overheat while walking up and down Leonard Street and popping into stores to greet kids.
As Will Rogers, 9, was browsing at the Toy Shop of Belmont, he said it was “a little bit surprising” to see the bunny but was happy he got to pose for a photo with him.
While many parents brought their sometimes-shy children over to see Dargon in costume, Jon Cusick’s daughter Janey, 2, eagerly ran over to give him a high five.
“She loves bunnies,” said Cusick with a smile.
Ben Key, who brought his son Nicolas, 2, to see the Easter rabbit, said “it’s great” the shops sponsored the event.
“I’ve heard from several local businesses who shared that it brought in more foot traffic and made for a busier day, which is great to hear,” said Frassica. “It truly feels like a win-win for everyone and such a nice way to bring the community together.”
