The Springfield community came together to light the Christmas Tree outside Town Hall and the First Aid Squad on Thursday night, December 1, 2022, following a postponement of one day due to rain and wind. Upwards of 1,000 children and adults packed the municipal complex grounds on the chilly night for a live concert featuring local talent including Taye McQueen, singer, actress, and Jonathan Dayton High School Class of 2011 graduate; students of Front & Center for Performing Arts of Springfield; and members of the Jonathan Dayton High School Jazz Ensemble. After the performances, Mayor Alex Keiser -- standing with Committeemen Richard Huber and Christopher Capodice, and Committeewoman Erica DuBois -- offered greetings and led the countdown to the tree lighting. The crowd was then treated to a surprise appearance by Santa Claus who exited through the Town Hall door. Santa posed for hundreds of photos and distributed candy canes to a long line of families. During the event, the Grinch and a Toy Soldier on stilts interacted with children and posed for photos. Attendees also took pictures inside a walk-in inflatable snow globe photo booth. Giveaways and hot pretzels were provided by the Springfield Recreation Department and the Springfield Business Improvement District (B.I.D.), as well as the Springfield F.M.B.A. Local #57 who hosted lawn games and prizes for the children present. Throughout the night, Springfield H.O.P.E. collected gift cards that will be donated to resident families in need. And Springfield Unity Project (S.U.P.) collected non-perishable food items and toiletries for needy community members. Boy Scouts Troop #73 was on hand to take pre-orders for grave blankets and wreaths, and Scout Zandy Zhao led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) Church and Cannon Chapter had a tent under which sponsorships were offered for veteran's wreaths for Wreaths Across America, coloring pages for children, and notes for veterans. According to Adam Lieb, Director of Recreation, whose department coordinated the event with other Township departments and first responders, "I'm very thankful to everyone who helped put the tree lighting together and rearranged their schedules to come out on the raindate. It was great to see and talk to so many community members, especially on a very cold night. The line to sit with Santa was the longest in years, and and the musical performers were terrific."

Photos: Erin McNany, Springfield Recreation Department