Euclid's Jellybeanville Keeps 65-Year Easter Tradition Alive One Egg at a Time

EUCLID, Ohio — A beloved neighborhood Easter display known as Jellybeanville is marking its 65th anniversary this season, as its creator, Steve “Cottontail” Kaselak, continues a tradition he began at age 7, now building the entire display himself at 72 while raising money for charity and drawing visitors from across Northeast Ohio.

“This brings so much joy to all the little kids and now those kids were little and they grow up and now have grandkids and the tradition keeps going on. It makes people happy,” Kaselak said during a recent interview.

Kaselak, who refers to himself as the “Mayor of Jellybeanville,” said this year’s display carries added meaning. He noted that the 65th anniversary of Jellybeanville coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States, which he chose to reflect through patriotic elements woven into the display. He said the milestone is “important for all of us to acknowledge.”

The display, located in a residential yard in Euclid, is rebuilt from scratch each year with a completely new design. Kaselak begins planning shortly after Christmas, sketching layouts, purchasing new inflatables, and carefully color-coordinating thousands of eggs. He spends the winter months assembling and stringing the decorations before installing everything roughly two weeks ahead of Easter.

“No two displays are ever the same,” he said. Despite severe weather that swept through Northeast Ohio in the days leading up to this year’s opening, Kaselak said damage was minimal.

“One egg blew away,” he said. “I saw the clouds getting dark and the wind, I quickly deflated the inflatables and put bricks on so they wouldn’t fly away and they stayed.”

Jellybeanville is designed to be experienced both day and night, with lighting that illuminates the display for visitors and passersby after dark. During Holy Week, Kaselak is typically outside greeting guests throughout the day, often handing out small Easter candies to children and families who stop by.

On Easter Sunday, he steps back as the Easter Bunny takes over, greeting visitors, posing for photos, and helping collect donations.

Those donations support the Journey Center for Safety and Healing, a Cleveland-based nonprofit that assists survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Kaselak said he has been raising money for the organization through Jellybeanville for more than 15 years.

“They help abused children and battered women get back into their life,” he said, adding that he has raised more than $30,000 for the organization during that time.

Visitors can contribute through a donation box set up at the display, though Kaselak emphasized that contributions are voluntary.

The display also reflects the community around it. Kaselak said his neighbors are supportive and actively involved, with some even represented as characters throughout Jellybeanville. He creates custom pop-up figures inspired by people who return year after year, including one named “Fred the Photographer,” modeled after a visitor from Pennsylvania who regularly documents the display.

“He loves pickles,” Kaselak said, noting that detail became part of the character’s design.

Family plays a central role as well, with representations of Kaselak’s parents, siblings, and other relatives incorporated into the scenes.

Outside of the Easter season, Kaselak remains active in the community. He volunteers at St. Robert and William Church, where he serves as head usher at the 8 a.m. Mass, helps with community meals, and supports nonprofit efforts assisting individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

For Kaselak, Jellybeanville remains a year-round labor of love that culminates in a few weeks of celebration, connection, and giving.

“I’m out here greeting people all day,” he said, describing the steady stream of visitors leading up to Easter.

Jellybeanville will remain open to visitors through Easter Sunday, offering what Kaselak describes as “a treat for the eyes and even for the belly” for families who continue to make the stop part of their holiday tradition.

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