Easter is right around the corner and that means Peter Cottontail will soon be making his way into town.

Most people only see him once a year, but a Tilden family spends time with rabbits just like him everyday.

Everyone knows rabbits for their long ears and bushy tails, but Mary Steinmetz from Tilden says there's more to the little guys.

"They're affectionate. They're very nosy animals,” she says.

"They are really nice animals and they like to be around people,” says her son Mark.

The Steinmetz family started raising rabbits 15 years ago as a 4-H project. Their hobby started with three rabbits and has grown to about 100.

"It's kind of gone crazy since then,” says Mary.

The family started showing their fuzzy friends about 8 years ago. Mary says her 14-year-old son Mark shows the most.

"I like going to shows because, you know there's so many different breeds, so many other people you can meet,” he says.

The Steinmetz's raise 5 breeds of rabbits, one of which most people are familiar.

"The New Zealand, normally they are pictured as the Easter Bunny,” Mary says.

At shows, the rabbits are judged on a standard of perfection.

"It's what the perfect rabbit for that breed would look like,” describes Mary.

On March 9th, Mark’s rabbit, Nutmeg, won best in show.

Mary says all rabbits need a few essentials, including lots of water, food, fresh air and attention.

"As much time as you put into them is how friendly they'll be,” said Mary. “We're out here quite a bit.”

Mark and Mary say they feed and water the animals at least twice a day, but they visit the rabbit barn more than that for their company.

"I liked coming up here and looking at 'em cause they're cute,” says Mark.

"I know when I've had a bad day at work, it's the first place I come to kind of relax,” says Mary.

If you're interested in show rabbits, Mary says two shows are coming up in our area.

On May 4th, the Red Cedar Rabbit Club is hosting a show at the Rice Lake Ice Arena.

And over Memorial Day weekend, the show is at the Eau Claire County Fair Grounds.