BERKELEY – When thousands of people show up for your egg hunt, you better have a lot of eggs.
That was certainly the case when families filled Veterans Park in Bayville for Spring In The Park. It wasn’t just an Easter event, although there were pictures with the bunny and egg hunts split into levels by age brackets and for those with special needs.
In true New Jersey fashion, the weather had gone from short-sleeves temperatures to windy storm in the days before, leaving the afternoon in the chilly 40s.
This didn’t deter the crowd as they hustled to the park and took turns grabbing the eggs. This was the activity that kicked off the event. So, when this was done, they made their way out, passing by a few dozen booths. These offered crafts, jewelry, home décor and more.
Some of them were run by local organizations. For example, a Girl Scout troop was selling cookies.
Veterans Park events – such as the summer concerts – are commonly where nonprofits reach out to residents. The events are great for raising funds and awareness.
The Berkeley Township Historical Society, for example, used it to spread the word of their 5th Annual Day Before Mother’s Day Tea on May 9 from 1-4 p.m. “Gorgeous hats are encouraged” at the event to be held at the VFW at 383 Veterans Boulevard. (Tickets are $35 per adult, $10 for children under 12. Checks payable to BTHS c/o Karen Ricotta, 543 Eastern Boulevard, Bayville, NJ 08721)
Society President Josie Morey said that events like Spring In The Park help organizations like hers.
“It’s a great way to meet new people and reconnect with old friends,” she said.
And there were plenty of new people and old friends to be found. Mayor John Bacchione estimated at least 3,000 visitors to the park that day.
“This is the largest crowd we’ve ever had for an egg hunt,” he said.
And all of those people shopped at the vendors and enjoyed the food trucks set up offering ice cream, barbecue, burgers and more. It was good timing since the event started at lunch time.
After that, there were huge inflatable rides. Meanwhile, DJ Willie “Chilly Willy” Jacobs blasted upbeat music from the bandstand – everything from “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” to “YMCA.”
“Simply an outstanding event today. Every single egg had a treat inside of it, and every kid (teens as well) left with something for Easter. Not every family and household is fortunate to provide and have a pleasant holiday … our goal is to assist and provide when and where help is needed,” said Robert Taylor, Unity Pride Organizer, who spearheaded the flow of the event, along with Berkeley Township Recreation Supervisor Debra Reuter, staff member Maria Rosen, and with the assistance from various other Berkeley Township workers, local volunteers (including numerous military veterans, and fraternity and sorority members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated from Monmouth and Ocean County).
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