Who Is Eggbert? The History Behind The Hudson Valley’s Talking Christmas Egg

Before we know it, the 2023 holiday season will come to an end and we'll start to 'un-deck' the halls and pack up until next year.

Before we get there, though, let's focus on one of the Hudson Valley's most popular, yet wildest Christmas traditions - Christmas on the Farm with Eggbert.

Cracking Open The History of the Hudson Valley's Most Famous Egg

You can't confidently say you're from the Hudson Valley if you don't have a story or two about Eggbert. A Hudson Valley holiday tradition dating back to 1971 when he was acquired by former Devitt's owner, Jack Devitt. Here's a chronological synopsis of where Eggbert was hatched, and how he made it to the Hudson Valley:

• Cornell University is technically responsible for hatching Eggbert back in 1930, bringing him into the world to 'help promote the egg industry during the great depression!
  • Eggbert Fun Fact: he appeared at the 1933 World Fair and in 1953 the New York State Fair where he was crowned by NY Governor Dewey 'Prince of Christmas' - this is why he has a throne and wears a crown!

• Eggbert was acquired by Jack Devitt (former owner) in 1971 from Cornell, and brought to the Hudson Valley to go on display as a greeter.
  • Eggbert Fun Fact: he didn't travel solo, Eggbert's posse included a talking tulip named Tulipburt and a talking pumpkin named PunkyBurt. Sadly, those two were lost in a fire in 1990. There was a terrible rumor that Eggbert also didn't make it out of the fire, but that was far from the truth.
• Jack Devitt sold the garden center to Agway in the late '90's, but ended up closing that location in 1999, and that's when Eggbert went into 'retirement.'
• Fast forward to 2010, the business again changed hands and Eggbert was mourning the loss of his friend Jack Devitt after learning of his passing. The following year, after the team worked to come up with a plan, Eggbert made his big comeback and the Hudson Valley welcomed him with open arms.
• In 2022, the Hudson Valley was introduced to Eggbert's lady friend, Clair, who he reunited with while away for a few years during COVID. She moved to New Windsor herself last year to become part of the Christmas at the Farm festivities, too.

SEE ALSO: Eggbert's 2023 Christmas at the Farm Display at Devitt's

"It's A Hudson Valley Thing," Eggbert's Hudson Valley Travels

Growing up here in the Hudson Valley, we had an Eggbert ornament on the tree, and of course when I moved into my own home with my own family, I had to get an Eggbert ornament of my own to prove my Hudson Valley heritage. He's one of the first ornaments that goes up on the tree to this day (and yes that's him below next to the Happy Birthday talking National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 'dad, she wrapped up her cat again' ornament.

Drawing thousands of visitors of all ages from the Hudson Valley and well beyond, Eggbert has done pretty well for himself through the years. More than just ornaments, there's a variety of Eggbert collectables like snow globes, clothing/attire, kitchen items, and this year he even got his own coffee...

Of course, not to be forgotten, the iconic Angry Eggbert IPA exclusively brewed by our pals at Newburgh Brewing Company.

Eggbert even makes the trip to Newburgh Brewing for an 'Eggbert After Dark' event where you can experience a different side of the talking Chrsitmas egg...

This year, Devitts even added an incredible new giant snow globe feature to the Christmas on the Farm with Eggbert experience.

If you're still scrambling to wrap your head around this whole Christmas egg thing, take a look below to learn more about the Eggbert experience.