The Easter Bunny will bounce his way into Ironton more than a week early to stash thousands of eggs around the Lawrence County Courthouse lawn.

The Ironton Business Association will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday. The free, public event typically lasts about half an hour. If it rains, the event will be rescheduled for April 10.

"We want to have as many kids come out as possible. We want to give back to the community," said Rich Patrick, IBA vice president. "We want it to be a community service and reach as many kids as we possibly can."

More than 2,000 candy filled eggs will be hidden on the courthouse lawn along Fourth Street and Park Avenue. The lawn will be divided into four areas for different age groups from toddler to 12 years old.

A few eggs will have special prizes.

To save the Easter Bunny some work, the Ironton Fire Department will give him a ride into town. Before and after the hunt, photos with the big bunny will be available for $2 each.

Last year, approximately 60 children scoured the courthouse lawn looking for the brightly colored goody containers.

"From the time we said go, by 10:05 it was over with," Patrick said.

"It was great to see those kids run through there and snatch up those eggs," he said. "It was (nice) to see how happy they were to find even one or two eggs."