Friends of The Big Duck, a non-profit organization, celebrates the arrival of spring with the 10th Annual Easter Duck Egg Hunt at Big Duck Ranch, 1012 Flanders Road (Route 24), Flanders. The free event (but bring your own basket) will be held this year on Saturday, April 1, noon sharp. The rain date is Sunday, April 2.
The grass field behind The Big Duck will be dotted with filled plastic “duck eggs” that children two- to nine-years-old can easily find. To make it a safe event, the children are grouped into three separate age groups. A prize basket is awarded to “The Good Egg” in each group who discovers the special egg. The family fun will include a visit from Mother Goose.
Friends of The Big Duck is the Southampton-Town-appointed steward of Big Duck Ranch, where the beloved icon sits. The organization landscapes the garden, maintains the Long Island Duck Farming Exhibit in the Victorian Barn (open to the public that day from 11 AM – 3 PM) and services the public bathrooms.
The Big Duck, open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM (except Saturdays until 3 PM), is on the national register of historic places. It was built in 1931 on West Main Street, Riverhead. A roadside sign, funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, marks the original location. It was moved to its current location in 1936, moved to Sears-Bellows County Park in 1987 and returned to the heart of Flanders in 2007.
Both admission and parking for the event are free. Cars should enter at Otter Hole Neck Road, just east of The Big Duck and park in the back of the field. For more information, call 631-284-3737, e-mail friendsofthebigduck2020@gmail.com or visit “Events” on Friends of The Big Duck Facebook page.
