Fruit Farm Hosts ‘Eggshelland’ Tradition
A true harbinger of spring is hatching at Eddy’s Fruit Farm this year with “Eggshelland” on display to delight both young and old.
A true harbinger of spring is hatching at Eddy’s Fruit Farm this year with “Eggshelland” on display to delight both young and old.
“Eggshelland” has been attracting visitors for 63 years, when it was first created in 1957 by Ron and Betty Manolio, of Lyndhurst. When creator Ron Manolio died in 2012, his family shared “Eggshelland” with the community one last time in 2013 and it was then put in the care of The Euclid Beach Boys, who wanted to preserve the local tradition.
“I was in Florida when I heard they (the Manolio family) were just going to throw it away,” said Joe Tomaro, of The Euclid Beach Boys, who preserve local memorabilia. “I told my wife, ‘Please, go talk to Mrs. Manolio. Don’t let her throw it away.’ So we talked with her and she talked it over with her kids, and she just gave it to us.”
There are about 16,000 to 18,000 original eggs in the collection.
“It’s a preservation thing,” Tomaro said. “We can never recreate what the Manolio family did.”
After a two-year hiatus, Eddy’s Fruit Farm in Chester Township became the host location for 2022. The display contains thousands of colorful eggs arranged into different patterns to create familiar spring scenes — with ducks, bunnies and Easter-related themes.
Tomaro said working with Bart Eddy was a natural fit. Tomaro has been visiting Eddy’s since he was a kid.
“It was my family’s Sunday drive to get apples and cider,” Tomaro said, adding when Tomaro started an ice cream concession, he bought candy apples from Eddy’s Fruit Farm for the business.
“We just started talking about it (Eggshelland) and Bart said, ‘We’ve got this space,’ and we both thought it was a good idea,” said Tomaro.
“Eggshelland” is set indoors this year. Filling the large barn at Eddy’s, the benefits of an indoor display not only help preserve the painted shells from harsh Northeast Ohio weather, but also makes visiting the display more pleasant in unpredictable weather.
Putting the display together is a collaborative effort.
“I move everything to the site, but my business partner, John (Frato), does the decorating,” Tomaro said. “John does a phenomenal job of putting it all together. There is no blueprint — once we lay out the dynamics in our head, then we start placing stuff.”
Visitors are greeted by a human-size bunny as they enter the barn at Eddy’s. The display then wraps around the interior of the barn with lighted vignettes and plaques offering the history of “Eggshelland” and information about The Euclid Beach Boys.
Some may better know The Euclid Beach Boys as the owners of the Rocket Ship Car that can be seen touring groups of people around Cleveland. Tomaro and Frato have focused on preserving memorabilia from Euclid Beach and Geauga Lake.
Much like the memories generated by those amusement parks, “Eggshelland” was too beloved to let end with Manolio’s death.
“I know nothing lasts forever, but it just brings back so many memories,” Tomaro said. “People don’t want to let go of these things from their childhood.”
The Eddy family farm history dates back to 1869. Clay Eddy, the 93-year-old family patriarch and fourth-generation farmer, was born and raised at the farm. His family now assists with orchard operations, the on-site market and events.
Tomaro is grateful for the help of sponsors like Eddy’s and Brandt’s Candies, located in Willoughby.
“This has always been a free family event,” Tomaro said. “But if it wasn’t for Eddy’s and Brant’s Candies, we couldn’t do this. As sponsors, they’re the ones who make this possible.”
Eddy’s Fruit Farm is located at 12079 Caves Road. “Eggshelland” is open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors are asked to enter from the Wilson Mills Road entrance. There is ample parking and the barn is handicapped accessible. “Eggshelland” will end on Easter, April 17, 2022.
