T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM - Captain America and Spiderman greet a visitor during the Easter event at Brian’s Collision in State Center on Saturday. Kids also got pictures with the Easter Bunny and bags of popcorn.

STATE CENTER – The annual Easter event brought families out and about on the State Center Main Street.

A familiar and popular stop during the event is the Easter Open House at Brian’s Collision. Owner Brian Hartwig said they started the open house 10 years ago, and it has grown since then.

This year, not only could kids get their pictures with the Easter Bunny, but also three superheroes – Captain America, Spiderman and Iron Man.

“We started with the Easter Bunny, but we needed to add more stuff,” he said. “It’s grown. Joan Postel Interstate Insurance joined in quite a few years ago. We just keep adding more things every year, making it bigger and better. As more people come, we just keep adding more attractions.”

A line of kids wait with their parents to get temporary glitter tattoos from Zoops Fun Zone on Saturday during the Easter event. Families were also served a biscuits and gravy breakfast at the State Center Fire Department and had the opportunity to participate in an egg hunt at Gutekunst Library.

Children also lined up for free popcorn, candy and more.

“We also have coloring books and passes to the Blue Zoo this year,” Hartwig said. “It’s just our chance to give back to the community and to the people who support us.”

Dan Geers with Zoops Fun Zone in Grimes applies a temporary glitter tattoo during the Easter event at State Center. His booth was set up at Brian’s Collision.

As the superheroes high-fived kids eager to see them and the Easter Bunny posed for photos, Dan Geers with Zoops Fun Zone of Grimes had a line of kids next to his booth. They waited patiently for him to give them glitter tattoos. A little more than an hour after the open house started, he was able to apply tattoos to 30 children, taking two to three minutes for each tattoo, and ensuring each kid walked away with a tattoo and glitter color of their choosing. This also wasn’t Geers’ first year at State Center for Easter.

“I love it,” he said. “Brian’s Collision does a great job for the kids, and I want to add to the atmosphere.”

While Hartwig said they will not reveal what is planned for next year, they brainstorm what more to do after the open house wraps up.

“Sometimes we even have people in the community say ‘It would sure be nice if you did this,’ and we think it’s not a bad idea,” he said. “We’re always open to ideas and suggestions. That’s how things get bigger and better.”

Julie Riley, Kristy Wilkening and Valeria Cole man a booth at the Easter event vendor fair in State Center on Saturday. As parents browsed roughly 10 vendors, kids were able to participate in free activities, such as coloring.

Julie Riley with State Center Development Association Promotions said they wanted to get involved in the event. Valeria Cole, who is also on the promotions committee, added they also wanted to bring more attention to small, local businesses and other Main Street entities.

“The firemen are also having a biscuit and gravy breakfast,” Riley said. “Brian kind of started this whole thing. Everyone just decided to build from it. He’s a good idea guy.”

Riley and Cole helped organize the Easter event vendor fair in the State Center City Hall and brought in 10 vendors, with wares such as honey and jewelry. There were some free activities and gifts for the children, as parents shopped. She said they tried to have a vendor fair before, but the weather did not allow it. This year was a chance to put the facility into greater use.

“We need to utilize our City Hall more,” Riley said.

Overall, Riley said they were happy with the turnout at this year’s Easter event and gave credit to Hartwig starting the annual Easter event.

“We appreciate everybody who comes out,” Hartwig said. “That is what makes this worthwhile. We couldn’t host the event without people coming out and supporting it, and we appreciate it. That’s why we do this – for the people and the kids.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.