A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
By Julianne Mosher
It was an egg-cellent time for all.
With a weekend of sunshine and warm temperatures, Saturday, April 19 was the perfect day to search for some eggs throughout Port Jefferson’s Harborfront Park.
The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce’s annual Easter parade and egg hunt was even more egg-citing this year thanks to hundreds of families who came out to participate. Starting at noon, moms, dads, grandparents and their little ones lined up outside Theatre Three and marched down Main Street in their best Easter attire with baskets in hand with the hopes of finding as many plastic eggs as they could.
Leading the group were members of the chamber and Port Jefferson’s favorite Easter Bunny, Barbara Ransome, director of operations for the chamber. The parade finished up at the Port Jefferson Village Center where tables were set up to trade in found eggs for different prizes and bins to recycle the eggs for next year’s event — an effort to continue being sustainable to the planet.
While the lines were long to hand in the eggs, the line to take a picture with the Easter Bunny was equally as lengthy with kids of all ages ready to smile.
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Mt. Sinai Fire Department held its 15th annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Company 1 on Mt. Sinai Coram Road on April 13. It was a robust turnout with raffles silent auctions and plenty of food where the kids had their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. No one left hungry.
What’s more fun than an Easter egg hunt? Here is a list of egg hunts on the North Shore for this weekend and next weekend so grab your baskets and a camera and hippity hop over to these fun springtime celebrations.
Cold Spring Harbor
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will hold an Egg Hunt for children ages 0 to 6 on April 12, 13, 17, 18 and 19 with 20 minute sessions scheduled throughout the day. Fee is $12 per participating child, $5 helper siblings ages 7 to 12, $7 adults, $6 seniors. Children must be accompanied by a parent. By reservation only at www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768
Commack
Burr Intermediate School, 202 Burr Road, Commack hosts a free egg hunt with over 4,000 eggs on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games, prizes, special golden eggs and a free photo of your child with the Easter Bunny. Register at www.commackegghunt.com. 631-486-3811
East Northport
Island Christian Church, 400 Elwood Road, East Northport will host a free Easter Egg Hunt on April 19from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Activities will include face painting, crafts, games, bounce houses, photo-ops, and of course, hunting for eggs! You may even see the Easter Bunny! Held rain or shine. Free. Visit islandchristian.com/easter to register. 631-822-3000
East Setauket
Benner’s Farm hosts their Easter Egg Hunt Weekend on April 18, 19 and 20 this year. File photo by Rita J. Egan/ TBR News Media
— Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt celebration on April 18, 19 and 20 with craft vendors, barnyard animals to see and hold, an egg hunt in the fields (at your purchased time slot), pictures with the Spring Bunny and more! This is a ticketed event only. Tickets are sold online only for $13.50 per person. To register, visit www.bennersfarm.com. 631-689-8172
— Three Village Church, 322 Main St., East Setauket invites children up to 5th grade to an Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. with games, story time, crafts, face painting and more. No tickets needed. Free. 631-941-3670
Farmingdale
— The American Airpower Museum, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along with an Easter Tram Rides, photos with the Easter Bunny and visit their“Bunny Patch” to adopt your very own plush toy bunny or chick!No pre-registration or tickets required. Admission for adults $20, seniors/vets $15, kids ages 3-12 $10. 631-293-6398
— Village of Farmingdale hosts its annual Easter Egg Hunt for children up to 11 years old on April 12 on the Village Green, 361 Main St., Farmingdale at 11 a.m. followed by photos with the Easter Bunny. Free. Rain date is April 13 at 2 p.m. 516-249-0093
— Stew Leonard’s, 261 Airport Plaza, Farmingdale hosts an Easter egg hunt on April 15 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Take photos with the bunny and collect eggs filled with candy and other prizes from costumed characters. Free for ages 8 and younger. Get tickets at eventbrite.com. 516-962-8210
Farmingville
Farmingville Historical Society will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt at Arboretum Park, 10 Maple Lane, Farmingville on April 19 at various times from noon to 3 p.m. Embark on an Easter Egg Adventure into the historic firehouse for fun activities, meet a real life bunny and take a photo with the Easter Bunny. $15 per child. Register at FHSLI.org.
Flanders
Children ages 2 to 9 are invited to join anEaster egg hunt for “duck” eggs at The Big Duck Ranch, 1012 Flanders Road, Flanders on April 19 at noon. Prizes will be given out for the winners in each age group. Bring your camera for photo ops with the Easter Bunny. The Long Island Duck Farming exhibit will also be open to the public. Free. Rain date is April 26. 631-284-3737.
Huntington
Children ages 1 to 8 can enjoy a spring celebration and egg hunt at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington on April 19 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Activities including a petting zoo, arts and crafts, a meet and greet with Mr. Bunny and a special concert by FunikiJam. $20 per child. Held rain or shine. Register at www.caumsettfoundation.org/programs.
Melville
Take part in an Easter Egg Hunt at White Post Farms, 250 Old Country Road, Melvilleon April 12 to 13 and April 14 to 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet the Easter Bunny, visit the bunny holding station, see a magic show and much more. Admission is $29.95. 631-351-9373
Port Jefferson
Meet the Easter Bunny at the annual Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce sponsored Easter event on April 19. Photo by Kyle Barr
Children ages 2 to 8 are invited to join the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce for an Easter Egg Hunt following the annual Easter Parade in the Village of Port Jefferson along Main Street on April 19 at 12:45 p.m. Line up in front of the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson at 1 p.m. after the parade. Photo ops with the Easter Bunny will be from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. Free. 631-473-1414
Port Jefferson Station
Brightview Senior Living, 1175 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station will host an Easter egg hunt, storytime fun with local children’s authors, photos with the Easter Bunny and a special Easter basket raffle on April 13 from noon to 4 p.m. Reserve your spot at www.eventbrite.com.
Rocky Point – just added!
The Rocky Point annual Easter egg hunt for ages infant to 5th grade will be held at Robert Miner Park, aka Rocketship Park, Hallock Landing Road, Rocky Point on April 15 at 11 a.m. (egg hunt at noon) with face painting and tattoos. Photos with the Easter Bunny are $5.
St. James – rescheduled to April 19
Children can hunt for Easter eggs at Deepwells Farm in St. James on April 19. Photo by Greg Catalano
St. James Chamber of Commerce will host a Spring Egg Hunt for children ages 1 to 10 at Deepwells Farm, 2 Tayor Lane, St. James on April 19 at 1 p.m. with a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny. Free. No rain date. 631-584-5810
Selden – This event has been canceled due to the weather.
Join Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Manzella and the Middle Country Youth Civic Association for a community Easter egg hunt at Veterans Park, Boyle Road, Selden on April 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. Free. 631-451-6647
Setauket
Caroline Episcopal Church, 18 Caroline Ave., Setauket hosts a community Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy games, prizes, snacks, a live magic show, face painting, an Easter hat contest, hat parade and a special long-eared guest. Free. Register online at carolinechurch.net/egghunt2025 631-941-4245
Smithtown – rescheduled to rain date of April 13
Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown for a Spring Festival and Egg Hunt on April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with musical entertainment by Lena and the Happy Clam Band, games, animal presentations, crafts, face painting, pony rides, egg hunts, and a visit by the Easter Bunny. $25 children, $5 adults. Register at www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344
Wading River – rescheduled to April 13 and April 19
Bakewicz Farms, 291 Route 25A, Wading River will hold an Easter egg hunt on April 13 and April 19 at 1:30 p.m. Every child will leave with eggs filled with candy, stickers, and toys. Enjoy face painting and take pictures with the Easter bunny. $15 per child. For tickets, visit www.bakewiczfarmsny.com.
Polish American Independent Ladies Auxiliary of Port Jefferson invites the community to join them for Breakfast with the Bunny at the Polish Hall, 35 Jayne Blvd.,Port Jefferson Station on Sunday, April 13 with two seatings: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Hop on over for a delicious pancake breakfast, festive fun, a Photo Booth, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children ages 6 and up, $2 children ages 5 and under. For tickets go to https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/breakfast-with-the-easter-bunny or call Jennifer at 516-383-3456.
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from Benner's Farm 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, April 8 and 9, children filled the fields at Benner’s Farm looking for plastic eggs with treats, especially the golden eggs that held special surprises.
Families were also able to visit with the Easter Bunny and the farm animals and buy goods from local craft vendors.
On April 17, Easter Sunday, the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosted its 27th annual Easter parade.
Led by the Easter Bunny, dozens of children, parents and community members marched through the village streets. Starting from Theatre Three on Main Street, the parade route cut through East Main, and finally ended at the Port Jefferson Village Center.
The event was concluded by a massive egg hunt in Harborfront Park, where participants scaled fences and sprinted long distances in pursuit of the precious hidden eggs.
On Sunday, April 4, Barbara Ransome, director of operations with the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, dressed up in her Easter Bunny costume to hand out treats and take photos with passerbyers for the holiday.
Over the past 25 years, Ransome has played the role, carrying a basket full of candy — and carrots for herself — throughout Main Street.
From 11 a.m. until the late afternoon, Ransome visited the local shops to say hello, and took pictures with several families.
“We’re hoping next year we can have our parade and egg hunt,” she said, “But in the spirit of the holiday, I wanted to spread some cheer.”
Last year, the holiday events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year was the same but that didn’t stop people from snapping a selfie with Ransome, or a quick group photo with the local Easter Bunny.
Children visiting the Smithtown Historical Society April 3 visited the Easter Bunny from a distance. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children had a chance to participate in Easter egg hunts at the Smithtown Historical Society April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children visit the animals on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children visit the animals on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children visit the animals on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children visit the animals on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children visit the animals on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Visitors to the Easter event at the Smithtown Historical Society April 3 decorated treats. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Visitors to the Easter event at the Smithtown Historical Society April 3 decorated treats. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Smithtown Historical Society opened its grounds for a few Easter egg hunts Saturday, April 3.
Partnering with the Smithtown Center for the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, the historical society offered socially-distanced visits with the Easter Bunny, opportunities to pet the animals on the grounds, creating holiday treats with Myra Naseem from Elegant Eating and more.
Children are all smiles after seeing the Easter Bunny at Benner's Farm. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children are all smiles after seeing the Easter Bunny at Benner's Farm. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Children are all smiles after seeing the Easter Bunny at Benner's Farm. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Visitors to Benner's Farm's Easter Egg Hunt were able to spend some time with the animals. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Visitors to Benner's Farm's Easter Egg Hunt were able to spend some time with the animals. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A little one is ready for an Easter egg hunt April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Families enjoy an Easter egg hunt at Benner's Farm April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Families enjoy an Easter egg hunt at Benner's Farm April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Families enjoy an Easter egg hunt at Benner's Farm April 3. Photo by Rita J. Egan
For two days in a row, Benner’s Farm in East Setauket was filled with holiday joy.
On April 3 and 4, the farm was filled with socially-distanced egg hunts spread out throughout the two days. Children were able to take photos with the Easter Bunny, who sat in a wagon while children sat a few feet in front of him to keep everyone safe.
Benner’s also had vendors on hand at the annual event, and families were able to visit with the farm’s animals.
A St. James family waits for the Easter Bunny. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A child looks forward to seeing the Easter Bunny. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The St. James Fire Department escorts the Easter Bunny through the hamlet April 11. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A child greets the Easter Bunny. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Karisma Salon escorts the Easter Bunny April 11. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Karisma Salon escorts the Easter Bunny April 11. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The St. James Fire Department escorts the Easter Bunny through the hamlet April 11. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The St. James Fire Department escorts the Easter Bunny through the hamlet April 11. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The St. James Fire Department escorts the Easter Bunny through the hamlet April 11. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The St. James Fire Department escorts the Easter Bunny through the hamlet April 11. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Matt Kelly dressed up as the Easter Bunny to bring joy to Smithown children. Photo from Matt Kelly
Matt Kelly dressed up as the Easter Bunny to bring joy to Smithown children. Photo from Matt Kelly
Children wave to the Easter Bunny. Photo from Matt Kelly
Smithtown residents reported a number of Easter Bunny sightings April 11.
The essential worker’s helpers organized a few bunny runs throughout the town’s hamlets. Everyone practiced social distancing as the bunnies and their assistants stayed in their vehicles, and parents and children waved from their porches, lawns and cars.
Smithtown resident Matt Kelly dressed up as the Easter Bunny and sat in the back of a red pickup truck as it traveled through Smithtown proper, Nesconset, St. James and parts of Commack and Hauppauge. Kelly said in an email for a few years he has dressed as the famous bunny for Easter and Santa Claus during the holiday season. When he heard of other Long Island towns organizing Easter Bunny drive-bys, he said, he was inspired “to do the same in this amazing community. ”
“It’s all about making others feel better,” Kelly said.
Karisma Salon joined in on the fun by accompanying the Easter Bunny throughout the town April 11 as well. According to its Facebook page, the salon also took requests from anyone who missed the run so the bunny could come back Easter Day.
St. James Fire Department escorted the Easter Bunny throughout the hamlet of St. James the afternoon of April 11. This time around the bunny had the chance to ride on top of a fire engine to wave to all the children who were waiting for him.
What’s more fun than an Easter egg hunt? Here is a list of egg hunts on the North Shore for this weekend and next weekend so grab your baskets and a camera and hippity hop over to these fun springtime celebrations.
Polish American Independent Ladies Auxiliary of Port Jefferson invites the community to join them for Breakfast with the Bunny at the Polish Hall, 35 Jayne Blvd.,
