'Banana Quest' Brings 'Pure Joy' On Day 4 Of Community Hide 'N Seek

LINDENHURST, NY — Benny the banana hasn't slowed down on day four of "Banana Quest," the elaborate game of hide 'n seek that has adults and kids alike hiding–and finding-a large stuffed Rasta banana on Long Island.

The banana started early on Tuesday morning, making his way around town to visit pre-K students at a school, spending time in the sun, shopping at King Kullen and even getting a treatment at a local dermatologist's office.

After another day of hitching rides, Benny got his first celebrity appearance request to attend Lindenhurst's High School's Community Night to take photos with guests. The request was made on a Facebook page documenting his whereabouts that's garnered over 900 followers since it was created by Lindenhurst mom Jennifer Mackey-Aulino, who with her children were the first to find the banana.

It all began on Saturday when Jenn Rossetti's family was doing a little spring cleaning and decided to have some fun with a 5-foot tall stuffed banana her son won on a class trip to Adventureland.

"I told them it’s time for the banana to go. My son was like, 'noooo.' But he was just kidding, he knew it was time. It’s just too big and has moved all around the house," Rossetti told Patch. "My kids and I love a good adventure, so we came up with the idea to post it on Facebook with a picture and a hit to its location to see if anyone would take it and keep it going."

Immediately, Benny hit the road and "Banana Quest" was in full force.

Rossetti said Benny has a note sharing his Facebook page name with anyone who finds him, and he quickly went viral on Snapchat.

On Sunday, Benny visited more than 30 locations around his hometown, including a cemetery, bar, ice cream shop, a train station and even a fire station.

Benny had a slow start on Monday (who doesn't?).His fans began inquiring early, but there was no word from Benny. Around 11 a.m., a photo surfaced of the banana on a couch with an infant. But Benny's fans continued to worry, offering to pick him up.

By noon, Benny's followers were worried and shared their concerns on Facebook. Was he being held hostage? Should someone post "missing" signs? Was he sleeping off a bad hangover?

At 12:45 p.m., a photo of Benny sitting by a rock was posted. And the race to find Benny kicked off.

"I absolutely love how this banana has brought our community together. I love seeing the smiles and the excitement everyone has to find Benny, and the trust that we have put into each other knowing he will be sent to another location," Alicia Cusumano told Patch. "I honestly thought it was just for the kids until I started seeing people my age getting Benny. We're in group chats over this. Bringing families closer together. I want to thank the women who started this; it's so clever and fun."

Benny had an early—and busy–start on Tuesday, thanks to people like Lauren Erkens, who took him to several locations.

Like many of Benny's followers, Erkens heard about Banana Quest when a friend shared it on Facebook.

She didn't snag him on her first try, but didn't give up.

"As soon as we started to follow it, we were hooked. We showed the kids where he was off to and planned out how we’d find him. We had a close encounter last night when our neighbor had him on her lawn. We just missed him; you have to be fast," Erkens told Patch. "This morning we saw his first post and knew exactly where he was. My son was late to school because of Benny-hunting. Oh, well, memories were made."

Erkens went all-out, bringing the big banana to Restoration Kitchen and Cocktails, to say hi to preschoolers at Universal Pre-Kindergarten and made a point to show him off to Mr. Pat, her son's "favorite" security guard. From there, they played soccer at Shore Road Park, then it was time for the next "lucky person" to find him, she said.

"This has been so much fun to follow, so much wholesome fun for our community. People are excited when they see you with Benny and happy for you. Strangers are waving hello and the buzz it has made in our town has been infectious," Erkens said. "We hope this goes on for many more days and everyone gets a turn to find him. We have a group message going with my other friends and we exchanged 149 messages last night about Benny and his whereabouts. The play-by-play and strategizing has been fun for every one of us."

Edward Perso, a Village of Lindenhurst employee, is proof that Banana Quest isn't just for kids.

"I work for the village and on my way back to my shop, I saw Ben up against a rock. I put my flashers on and ran out to grab him," Perso told Patch. "When I brought him back to the shop, everyone was curious why I had a Rasta banana with me. After a few minutes of explaining, everyone wanted him."

So Perso and his co-workers "decided to round up the largest pieces of equipment we had for a little photo shoot. Within five minutes he was gone and off to his next stop," Perso said. "Now my daughter and I are trying to scoop him up for her to enjoy."

There's something about Banana Quest that brings out the inner child in everyone trying to find him. Numerous Banana Questers interviewed said the chase brings them "pure joy" and provides a break from the stress of adult life.

Meagan Sullivan, who brought Benny into the dermatology office she works in, is one of those people.

"This gave me and Kristie, our office manager, nothing but laughs and made me feel like a kid again. Just amazing positivity on this warmer, sunny day," Sullivan said. Someone even followed the banana into the office, she added.

Suzie Bolger, who treated Benny to several stops on Tuesday, also felt the joy Banana Quest brings.

"It's such a creative idea, the thrill of trying to find the location, finding new places I didn't know existed, and seeing the joy not only for the kids but adults just wanting to have fun is truly special," Bolger said. "Between work, kids, any stresses — it was like it all disappeared for a moment, and we ourselves could be kids again. Instead of using bikes like we used to in the 90s, we got to use cars."

In just four days, Benny has become Lindenhurst's icon. In addition to the request for his presence at Lindenhurst High, he's been nominated to be the St. Patrick's Day Parade's grand marshal, AI called him a "symbol of the community" and Banana Quest merch is being made.

The adventures of Lindenhurst's 5-foot tall banana don't seem to be slowing down, and his followers are already wondering what day five will look like.

But there's tension on the Banana Quest page. At around 4 p.m., a picture was posted saying Benny's on his way to New York City, while another post said a crowd awaits his arrival at the high school.

What's in store for Benny? Will he make it back to his small town of Lindenhurst? Or will the streets of NYC be his future?

Only time will tell.

A timeline of Benny's journey:

Saturday, March 8:

• Banana Quest begins with Benny in a tree between Albany and Buffalo avenues in Lindenhurst.
• Benny is found at his second stop between Hoffmann Avenue and Byrd Street.
• Benny is found at Triangle Park.
• The banana is placed between North Railroad and 109.
• The giant banana is spotted at the Lindenhurst Village Square.
• Benny is found hanging upside down in a tree at the Village of Lindenhurst Rainbow Center.

Sunday, March 9:

• Venetian Shores
• Fireman's Park
• Lindenhurst Middle School Track
• Old Village Hall Museum
• West Gates Elementary swing
• Venetian softball field
• Ruby Soho's drinking a beer
• Lindenhurst docks
• Between Hoffman and 31st
• Lindenhurst Memorial Library
• Brothers Deli
• South 7th Street
• Outside of Lindenhurst Fire House
• Fireman's Pavilion
• Having a Slurpee at 7-Eleven
• Lindenhurst train station
• Swinging in a school yard
• Carvel
• In the fire house in a fire truck
• Having a slice at Villas Pizzeria and visiting Saltee Fit
• Cemetery
• Lindenhurst High School pool
• 35th Street Family Deli
• Applebee's
• Lindy Eye Care
• Belfast Gastropub drinking a pint
• Elevator at Lindenhurst train station
• One of the "finger lakes"
• Capital One withdrawing cash for upcoming adventures
• Elite Dance Studio
• Target
• Benny has a sleepover with an unknown family

Monday, March 10:

• Benny has a late start at a random rock
• Spotted on a Village of Lindenhurst tractor
• Benny hangs out in a Village of Lindenhurst machine shop
• At the car wash
• Sunbathing on a Babylon beach
• Old Village Hall Museum
• Zahn's Park
• Grabbing a bite at McDonald's
• North Lindenhurst
• Hanging out at a coffee shop
• Benny gets his hair done at Studio Trio
• Abbott's Frozen Custard
• Kicking back on Pine Street
• Benny has a jam session

Tuesday, March 11

• Universal Pre-Kindergarten school
• Thomas H. Kost Memorial Field
• Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails
• Shore Road Park
• Ralph's Famous Italian Ices
• Espo's Car Care
• Neguntatogue Beautification Society
• King Kullen
• Arnold D. Panzer M.D. Aesthetic Skincare and Dermatology
• Public pool
• Relaxing by a lake
• Spotted on Putnam Avenue
• Benny leaves for NYC

Where will Benny go next?

Let Patch know and send your photos to jade.eckardt@patch.com