The Village of Valley Stream will kick off the spring season with its annual Easter Goodie Bag Giveaway on March 21 at Hendrickson Park, offering families a day of activities, photos and giveaways for children.
The event will take place behind the pool area from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to children ages 12 and younger. Each child will receive a pre-made Easter goodie bag while supplies last. The celebration will also include photos with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, a bouncy house and entertainment from a live DJ. A rain date is scheduled for March 28.
“Every year we try to create a warm and inviting, fun and festive environment for our families in Valley Stream,” Mayor Ed Fare said. “Our Easter Goodie Bag giveaway has become one of those special events that children really look forward to each Easter season.”
The day will begin with a sensory-friendly meet-and-greet with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The quieter session was introduced after village recreation officials heard from local parent groups that some families with children who have sensory sensitivities found it difficult to participate in larger, louder gatherings. During that portion of the event, music is kept at a lower volume, and the environment is designed to be calmer, allowing children to enjoy the activities in a comfortable setting.
At 11 a.m., the event opens to the broader public and will run until 2 p.m. Organizers say families are welcome to stay throughout the event to participate in games, dancing and other activities hosted by the DJ.
The giveaway format replaced the village’s traditional Easter egg hunt several years ago. According to Recreation Department Director Jimmy Fitanzo, the change was first made after the Covid-19 pandemic to avoid large crowds of children running together during the egg hunt scramble. The village also expanded the event to last several hours and added entertainment and activities to create a more complete community celebration.
“We always try to do a little better,” Fitanzo said. “We always try to push the envelope a little bit more, give them a little bit more. The administration has been amazing and has allowed us to do all these activities, and we appreciate it, allowing us to do what we have to do here to bring smiles and joy to the residents of the village.”
Under the new format, each child receives the same pre-assembled goodie bag upon arrival. The bags are filled with small Easter-themed items such as stickers and temporary tattoos rather than candy, a change made in recent years due to allergy concerns.
Village staff prepares hundreds of bags ahead of the event, anticipating a large turnout if the weather is favorable. The longer schedule allows families to spend more time at the park, rather than attending short, timed egg-hunt sessions as in previous years.
The goal of the event is to create a welcoming community gathering where children and families can enjoy seasonal activities close to home while celebrating the start of spring.
“We’re just happy to be a part of it, so that we can bring some joy to the families,” Fitanzo said. “We just love it when you see the kids dancing, and they win prizes, and they’re in the bounce house. It just makes the staff feel really good, because we put a lot of effort into it.”
Village officials ask parents to register in advance by calling (516) 821-3786.
