TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Thousands of brightly colored Easter eggs will blanket the grass at Castle Park on Saturday as Toms River’s annual Easter egg hunt returns, featuring over 20,000 eggs, live music, and a special escort for the Easter Bunny.

Key Points

Event begins at 9 a.m. at Castle Park, 1540 N Bay Ave, Toms River
More than 20,000 eggs will be hidden across multiple fields by age group
The Easter Bunny will arrive via a fire truck escorted by local police and fire departments

Bunny arrives by fire truck

Mayor Dan Rodrick and the Toms River Recreation Department will host the April 12 event, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with a rain date set for April 13. The Easter Bunny is expected to make a dramatic entrance aboard a fire truck, accompanied by both the Toms River Fire Department and Police Department.

Toms river easter egg hunt set for saturday at castle park — Photo: toms river easter egg hunt set for saturday at castle park

The event will take place at Castle Park, located at 1540 N Bay Ave. Children will be divided into three zones based on age groups: Field A for ages 1 to 5, Field B for ages 6 to 10, and a designated low-sensory field for children who need a quieter environment.

Age-divided fields and low-sensory space offered

Families are advised to bring their own baskets for egg collection. Organizers note that more than 20,000 eggs will be scattered throughout the park. In addition to the hunt, a DJ will provide music, and eventgoers can take photos with the Easter Bunny.

Parking will be available at several nearby locations, including Bey Lea Park, Youth Services, the Police Department, and Bey Lea Golf Course.

Additional amenities and safety presence

The event emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, offering a low-sensory area for children with special needs. All safety precautions will be supported by local emergency services, which will also be part of the entertainment with the Easter Bunny’s special escort.

“Bring your basket to collect your eggs,” the township advises in promotional materials.

The egg hunt is organized by the Toms River Recreation Department. More information is available on the township’s official website or by contacting the department directly.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.