Eggbert: Hudson Valley’s beloved holiday icon
“I heard there’s like this talking Christmas egg or something around here?”
My friend grew up in Pittsburgh and, upon moving to the Hudson Valley as an adult, was bemused to hear rumors of some mysterious “talking egg.” It may not be common knowledge outside the area but residents around these parts know the legend well.
Every year, around Thanksgiving, a large, talking egg returns to Devitt’s Nursery and Supply in New Windsor. The staff works tirelessly preparing the pathway by which the legendary figure will reclaim his usual spot, deep within a holiday wonderland. Once settled onto his cushy throne, golden crown polished and gleaming, this magical being is ready to hold court.
Thousands of children have made the journey along the Christmas Trail to seek out this fabled figure. For decades, one child after another has stood before the throne and wondered how this fantastic being knew his or her name.
How does he know it? Magic, obviously!
And that mysterious, magical talking egg is, of course, Eggbert!
He’s something of a celebrity around here. Anyone that grew up in the Hudson Valley probably has fond memories of coming face-to-face with the unlikely holiday icon. And how, by the way, did an egg become synonymous with Christmas?
Joe Gizzarelli, one of Devitt’s owners, suggests “eggs symbolize renewal and hope. Which, if you think about it, are fitting themes for the holiday season.”
True.
But if you ask me, I’d reply with a question of my own – “Who cares?!”
He’s a talking Christmas egg! How could you not love Eggbert?!
And I’m not the only one that feels that way.
Since the early 1970’s, Devitt’s “Christmas on the Farm” attraction has seen thousands of visitors pass through. Children of all ages have conversed and joked with Eggbert, adored the resident barnyard animals, and traversed the twinkling Christmas Trail around the farm.
Gizzarelli says this year promises some new features to the attraction. Czinkota Studios, Ltd of Gardiner, NY, has crafted a Candy Mine that visitors will now pass through into Candy Land. “We’ll have some new animations, too. Eggbert always gets new friends each year,” Joe explained.
And what about those famous Eggbert ornaments that adorn countless area Christmas trees?
“We have 8 different ornaments available in the Holiday Shop. From the original Eggbert design up through this year’s latest,” Joe reassured me. “Actually, the ‘Angry Eggbert’ ornament has been one of the more popular ones.”
[See our Nov. 22 story on Newburgh Brewing Company’s Angry Eggbert IPA.]
Eggbert has become a Hudson Valley holiday icon. But many aren’t aware that he had a rather mundane job before ascending to the throne.
Eggbert made his debut at the 1953 New York State Fair where he was “crowned” by Gov. Thomas Dewey. Eggbert worked with Dr. Bob Baker, a professor at Cornell University, to promote the state’s poultry industry. However, Jack Devitt had a hunch that the spokes-egg was destined for greater things and in 1971 invited Eggbert to join his “Christmas on the Farm” attraction.
Thankfully, Eggbert accepted and, as it turned out, loved his new job! For almost the next 30 years, Eggbert was greeting “Christmas on the Farm” visitors throughout each holiday season.
However, there came a time when he was noticeably absent. Around the turn of the century, Eggbert didn’t reappear at Devitt’s. Aside from a handful of special appearances, the public generally didn’t see much of him. It was rumored that he was lost in a fire or even entirely cracked!
Luckily, the rumors of Eggbert’s demise had been greatly egg-xagerrated. Ahem…
Eggbert made his triumphant return to Devitt’s in 2011 and has been a staple of the holidays every since! In fact, in 2012, he even had some cosmetic work done on his shell by Costume Armour, Inc. of Cornwall.
But before I carry on for too long, let’s hear what Eggbert to say!
The following is our interview with Eggbert himself:
Welcome back to Devitt’s, Eggbert! Many residents have been eagerly awaiting your return and it wouldn’t feel like the holidays around here without you. What do you enjoy most about “Christmas on the Farm?” Do you have any favorite barnyard animals?
“What I enjoy most is meeting children of all ages and seeing their faces light up! And I like the chickens because there’s always something to crow about.”
Many of the children who visited you over the years are now grown-ups and have children of their own. They want to share their love for you with their kids and introduce them to someone who made their holidays special. How does it feel meeting a new generation of youngsters?
“I am always honored when I meet a new generation of children and that parents had such great memories to want to share.”
For many in the Hudson Valley, visiting Eggbert at Devitt’s is just as important as visiting Santa Claus at the mall. How does it feel being a holiday icon?
“It makes me feel happy! I am glad that I can help make peoples’ holidays happier and eggciting!”
Speaking of Santa, I understand you relay children’s messages to the Big Guy. Is it a tough job remembering every child’s name and accurately relaying all of those messages back to the North Pole? Also, how did you two meet and do you ever accompany Santa while he delivers presents?
“To be very eggplicit, I use my magic mailbox, which sends notes directly to the North Pole.
How I met Santa is a very long story. It was before Mr. Devitt got me and after I retired from the egg company. I was very lonely and made a Christmas wish. Santa came to see me and said he had a special plan for me to help him. Shortly after that, Mr. Devitt found me and put me to work at “Christmas on the Farm” to talk to the children and help get notes for Santa – to get everyone eggcited for Christmas!”
There are many unaware that you started your career as a spokes-egg in the 1950’s, before Jack Devitt invited you to join his “Christmas on the Farm” attraction in 1971. Do you miss those days promoting the poultry industry?
“I do miss my friends at the egg company. But I so enjoy seeing the families and the children of the families coming back to see me year after year.”
A lot of visitors have enjoyed your jokes over the years. Heard any good ones lately?
“I love the classic joke ‘What came first? The chicken or the egg?’ My answer is always, ‘The egg!’”
Getting back to your “holiday icon status”… Newburgh Brewing Company crafted their special Angry Eggbert IPA in your honor. Have you tried it yourself?
“I’ve heard it’s very good but I don’t drink. If I did I’d get cracked up!”
Everyone knows the holidays are a time of overindulging on cookies, gingerbread, chocolate and other delicious things. What are Eggbert’s favorite holiday treats?
“I enjoy eggnog and eggclaires. They’re my favorite holiday treats.”
We invited our readers to submit some of their own questions for you, Eggbert. So here we go…
Ava Halvorsen, age 8, asks, ‘Is your mother a chicken?’
“Ava, I don’t know. I’ve never hatched so I’m not sure what I could be. So I guess I’m just Eggbert.”
And speaking of family, Steven Jones is curious as to whether you and Humpty Dumpty are related.
“I’ve been told that since we look alike that we must be cousins.”
Maria says her boyfriend, Brian, is a big fan of yours and they enjoy visiting you when you’re at Devitt’s. She wants to know, “Will my boyfriend and I finally get engaged?!”
“It’s very hard to be eggplicit but maybe you will have a reason to be very eggcited this year.”
Lastly, another reader posited an interesting question: Is it merely a coincidence that there are 12 eggs in a carton and 12 Days of Christmas?
“I always like to think eggs are important to Christmas. But I believe it’s a coincidence.”
Thank you for taking the time to answer all of these questions, Eggbert. But I just have a couple more before we’re done. After all of the holiday hullabaloo has ended, what are you going to do next? Any plans for New Year’s Eve?
“After Christmas, I am egghausted and will have a very long rest with Santa at the North Pole. But I do have one party for adults at Newburgh Brewing Company on December 27.”
Visit www.devittsnsy.com for a full schedule and hours of operation of “Christmas on the Farm.”
And be sure to use #eggbert when posting your photos or selfies with Eggbert on Instagram.
