Egg-toting pranksters crack a big joke

SNOHOMISH — For mystery, this egg is hard to beat.

Large enough for a human to fit inside, a yellow egg turned up on the Ricci family farm south of Snohomish on Feb. 11.

Every morning for the next four days, the egg turned up in a different place on the 300-acre farm. Once, it was sitting up against a utility pole.

Then it disappeared and was gone for four days. When it returned on Wednesday, it was sitting in the middle of a large field on the farm along Elliott Road.

This time, it was white.

On Thursday, it was gone again.

“It’ll probably be purple next time,” said Darrell Ricci, 78, the farm’s patriarch.

Family members swear they did not hatch this caper.

They’ve stayed up late several times to see if they can spy the perpetrators, to no avail, said Brock Ricci, one of Darrell’s sons.

“We’ve tried, but we haven’t camped out all night,” he said. At times, the family’s dog barked, and “we’d look and watch and wouldn’t be able to see anything.”

They haven’t had many clues. No pterodactyl sightings have been reported.

“All we’ve noticed is tire tracks,” he said.

The egg is about 6 feet long and 4 feet in diameter, said Brock Ricci, 52.

“It feels like a hard plastic, or fiberglass. It’s hollow inside.”

The family grows hay, corn and pumpkins on the farm. Bob Ricci, Darrell’s son and Brock’s brother, runs Bob’s Corn, Maze and Pumpkin Farm on the property.

Darrell Ricci keeps about 50 chickens, but family members insist the egg is not a publicity stunt for Easter or anything else.

“We’ve been suspicious of a few people,” Brock Ricci said. “They deny it.”

When the egg was missing, family members actually went so far as to drive around the homes of friends to see if they had it stashed on their property, but didn’t see it, Darrell Ricci said.

“I guess it’s like that old Swedish joke — ‘The yolk’s on us,’” he said.

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

In this Jan. 4, 2019 photo, workers and other officials gather outside the Sky Valley Education Center school in Monroe, Wash., before going inside to collect samples for testing. The samples were tested for PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, as well as dioxins and furans. A lawsuit filed on behalf of several families and teachers claims that officials failed to adequately respond to PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, in the school. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Judge halves $784M for women exposed to Monsanto chemicals at Monroe school

Monsanto lawyers argued “arbitrary and excessive” damages in the Sky Valley Education Center case “cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny.”

Mukilteo Police Chief Andy Illyn and the graphic he created. He is currently attending the 10-week FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. (Photo provided by Andy Illyn)
Help wanted: Unicorns for ‘pure magic’ career with Mukilteo police

“There’s a whole population who would be amazing police officers” but never considered it, the police chief said.

Alan Edward Dean, convicted of the 1993 murder of Melissa Lee, professes his innocence in the courtroom during his sentencing Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bothell man gets 26 years in cold case murder of Melissa Lee, 15

“I’m innocent, not guilty. … They planted that DNA. I’ve been framed,” said Alan Edward Dean, as he was sentenced for the 1993 murder.

Patrick Lester Clay (Photo provided by the Department of Corrections)
Police searching for Monroe prison escapee

Officials suspect Patrick Lester Clay, 59, broke into an employee’s office, stole their car keys and drove off.

People hang up hearts with messages about saving the Clark Park gazebo during a “heart bomb” event hosted by Historic Everett on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Clark Park gazebo removal complicated by Everett historical group

Over a City Hall push, the city’s historical commission wants to find ways to keep the gazebo in place, alongside a proposed dog park.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Deadline fast approaching for Everett property tax measure

Everett leaders are working to the last minute to nail down a new levy. Next week, the City Council will have to make a final decision.

Hawthorne Elementary students Kayden Smith, left, John Handall and Jace Debolt use their golden shovels to help plant a tree at Wiggums Hollow Park  in celebration of Washington’s Arbor Day on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to hold post-Earth Day recycling event in Monroe

Locals can bring hard-to-recycle items to Evergreen State Fair Park. Accepted items include Styrofoam, electronics and tires.

A group including Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Compass Health CEO Tom Sebastian, Sen. Keith Wagoner and Rep. Julio Cortes take their turn breaking ground during a ceremony celebrating phase two of Compass Health’s Broadway Campus Redevelopment project Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Compass Health cuts child and family therapy services in Everett

The move means layoffs and a shift for Everett families to telehealth or other care sites.

Everett
Everett baby dies amid string of child fentanyl overdoses

Firefighters have responded to three incidents of children under 2 who were exposed to fentanyl this week. Police were investigating.

Everett
Everett police arrest different man in fatal pellet gun shooting

After new evidence came to light, manslaughter charges were dropped against Alexander Moseid. Police arrested Aaron Trevino.

A Mukilteo Speedway sign hangs at an intersection along the road on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
What’s in a ‘speedway’? Mukilteo considers renaming main drag

“Why would anybody name their major road a speedway?” wondered Mayor Joe Marine. The city is considering a rebrand for its arterial route.

Edmonds City Council members answer questions during an Edmonds City Council Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds fire service faces expiration date, quandary about what’s next

South County Fire will end a contract with the city in late 2025, citing insufficient funds. Edmonds sees four options for its next step.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.