BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
CRESSKILL, N.J.— On April 6, the Borough of Cresskill was really hopping! At 9:30 a.m., dozens of children and their parents marched in an Easter bonnet parade from the soccer field on Madison Avenue and Third Street to the Cresskill Recreation Center. As they assembled on the street, they were greeted by a giant Easter Bunny. Everyone scrambled to take photos with the jovial rabbit.
Inside the recreation center, the Easter celebration was in full swing. Dozens of children, from toddlers to 7-year-olds, and their parents, enjoyed refreshments and fun activities. On a long table, there were muffins, bagels and cream cheese, apple juice and water.
The youngsters were eager to do coloring and show off their millinery creations. They ranged from adorable bunny ears to elaborate bonnets completely covered in candy. Trophies were awarded for the hats that were most colorful, most creative, most original, most unique and most festive.
The Easter Bunny, seated in front of a festive backdrop, posed for photos with each child and there were hugs aplenty.
In another part of the room, kids examined a jar filled with jelly beans and tried to guess how many were in it to win a prize.
Throughout the morning, Cresskill Recreation Director Barbara Mann, Vice Chair Joanne Dimitriadis and Program Supervisor Gina Giardini chatted with everyone and made sure that they had a good time.
“This is the second year that we’ve hosted an Easter party, and next year there will be even more activities,” Mann said.
The highlight of the event was a grand Easter egg hunt. Because of the raw weather outside, it was held in the gym. Hundreds of colorful plastic Easter eggs and foil-covered chocolate eggs were scattered all around the room. Hidden among the plethora of eggs were five special eggs, recognizable by their clear shell. Mann explained that whoever found one of the special eggs could trade it in for a large chocolate bunny.
As soon as they knew what to look for, in a flash, the kiddies were off and running, filling up their baskets with as many eggs as they could grab. Even parents got in on the fun and helped the very young egg hunters scoop up their treasure.
When all the special eggs had been found, the same contest was held in another gym next door, eliciting the same frantic excitement and screams of triumph, as kids filled their baskets to overflowing.
Krishna Nadella, who was there with his wife and four children, said, “This Easter party is such a fun event! It really gets people involved and brings the community together. Most of all, the kids have a great time!”
Cresskill resident Anthony Scianna, who was with his two daughters, said, “Cresskill is a small town and everyone is friendly. The schools are excellent and we love community events like this. My wife and I can’t imagine living anywhere else!”
