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FAIRFIELD – JC Huffman Cabinetry in Fairfield is once again hosting an Easter celebration, this time at the newly remodeled Lincoln Center.

Jim and Teresa Huffman purchased the former Lincoln Elementary School from the school district on June 30, 2024, and in just a few months had renovated the building in time for its “Ho Ho Ho Holiday Event” beginning the day after Thanksgiving. The Huffmans are in the midst of hosting their second big event at their new facility, their annual Easter celebration featuring a photo op with Peter Rabbit and several other festive backgrounds.

The Huffmans’ Easter event is split between two non-consecutive weekends this year. The first weekend welcomed guests April 4-5, and the next opportunity will be Friday and Saturday, April 18-19. Teresa explained that they couldn’t do consecutive weekends because Maharishi School is renting the gymnasium for its prom on Saturday, April 12.

The hours of the Friday, April 18 event will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and then from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. Admission is $5 per person. Admission includes a photo with Peter Rabbit, including a print-out of the image, getting to pet real lambs, and using the photo backdrops throughout the building. For an extra fee, guests can “adopt” a plush lamb, purchase lemonade shake-ups, snow cones, cotton candy and Pucker Powder sweets.

Teresa said some of the Huffmans’ Easter decorations were borrowed from when they held the event at their shop on West Burlington Avenue, but there are also plenty of new things this year, including a new background for the photo with Peter Rabbit and lots of other decorations.

One of the most noteworthy changes since the Huffmans’ last event in November and December is the addition of a fireplace.

“When we did our Christmas event, we only had four months to get ready,” Teresa said. “We didn’t get everything done that we wanted to, but now we’ve added a fireplace in the banquet room, which can also be rented out. We also dry walled the north wall and added paint.”

Teresa said she’s excited for the next weekend of Easter guests, expecting to get an even higher turnout than last weekend when about 200 people came, and she’s excited to host prom this weekend.

“I really didn’t think we would host a prom, but we’re going to do it,” Teresa said with a laugh. “When the students came to visit, they were so excited.”

Looking further ahead, Teresa said she and Jim are going to get quotes on paving a parking lot at the property, and whether they go through with the idea will depend on the cost.

“Concrete isn’t cheap,” she said.

Another thing Fairfield residents can look forward to is a new steakhouse inside the Lincoln Center. Teresa said they’re planning to open it this fall on the north side of the building, accessible from Merrill Avenue.

“I’ve always wanted to do that,” Teresa said about opening a steakhouse. “People come together over food because it’s a relaxing time to enjoy each other’s company. I’m hoping it will be well received.”