An annual Easter egg hunt hosted by the Elmont Cultural Center will return this spring, continuing a growing community tradition centered on family-friendly activities and connection.
The event was started three years ago by Tamar Bailey, an events coordinator at the cultural center. Her initiative was born out of a desire to bring back more opportunities for children and families to gather locally.
“What I noticed is there's not a lot of like activities for children anymore… like community activities, Easter egg hunts, things like that,” Bailey said.
Since then, the event has grown significantly in participants. Bailey said organizers saw a large turnout in its first year and have continued expanding to meet community interest. Families from all over the area have come together for a day of fun, games and community bonding, and organizers have adapted the event each year to better accommodate the growing crowds.
This year, the Elmont Cultural Center is partnering for the second time with the Meera Empowerment Foundation, a nonprofit led by CEO Selene Ferdinand. The foundation is dedicated to supporting local young women and families through programs, events and charitable initiatives. Ferdinand, who has been involved in community service since she was a child, has led Meera Empowerment Foundation in organizing drives and building programs that bring the community together.
This year’s egg hunt will take place at Elmont Road Park beginning at 1 p.m., with activities scheduled throughout the afternoon. The program includes games, crafts, music and an appearance by the Easter Bunny, followed by egg hunts organized by age group. Organizers have also added a separate egg hunt designed for neurodivergent children as part of an effort to make the event more inclusive.
“It’s not easy to put on for expecting as many people every year, we have to prepare for 1000s of eggs at least,” Bailey said. In addition to the egg hunts, families can participate in relay races and sack races, which are intended to create a more traditional, community-style atmosphere.
Bailey said the event has also brought together families from a wide range of backgrounds. “What’s so beautiful is last year, it wasn't just people who are Christians that came out to celebrate Easter we had Muslim families come out and do the Easter Egg hunt,” she said.
Last December, the cultural center also partnered with Meera Empowerment Foundation for a holiday toy drive. Selene’s mother described it as a “full house and successful event,” which is common when the two organizations join forces for community initiatives throughout the year.
For families across the Elmont community and beyond, the meticulously planned Easter egg hunt has become more than just a seasonal activity. Bailey hopes these types of events will create memories that children will remember in their community every year.
Although they have yet to secure sponsors for this year’s event, organizers are pulling their own resources together to continue the tradition.
