On Saturday, March 30, 2024, hundreds of community members of all ages joined together at Chisholm Park for the Township of Springfield's annual Egg Hunt & Kite Fest, which was postponed from the previous weekend due to heavy rains and wet ground conditions. The event was sponsored by the Springfield Recreation Department, along with Mike Scalera State Farm Agency, Cardinal Land Properties, Springfield Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) and USA Karate & Fitness. On a sunny and windy afternoon, the popular spring event featured kite flying and separate egg hunts for toddlers through teenagers. Prizes -- awarded to children for finding the winning ticket eggs, displaying the most creative kites, and flying the highest kites -- were presented by Mayor Chris Weber; Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce Co-Chairman Mike Scalera, who served as master of ceremonies; Director of Recreation Adam Lieb; and Assistant Director of Recreation Brendan O'Reilly. The gift card prizes were donated by local businesses, with the assistance Jay Spinelli, Springfield B.I.D. Executive Director, who was in attendance. Mayor Weber and Township Committeemen Richard Huber and Alex Keiser visited with children and families throughout the event. Following the two egg hunts, the Easter Bunny made a special appearance and posed for pictures with families who waited in line across the park. In addition, a photo ring by Summit Soundz roamed the event snapping pictures and instantly texting them to cell phones for posting on social media. DJ Drew pumped music into the park as children danced in front of the speakers. Party Maniacs of Springfield was a returning favorite at the event with make-your-own sand art necklaces. TD Pizza partnered with the event for a fourth time, this year selling a variety of flavor ices, ice cream, cotton candy buckets, and water. New this year was a giant inflatable sports zone by Amazing Amusements that challenged children in three separate throwing contests. On hand at the event keeping the crowds safe were Fire Captains Michael Mastroeni and Marc Corea, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator Scott Seidel and Deputy Coordinators Frank Applegate and Apu Mullick, as well as Springfield First Aid Squad Crew Chiefs Stuart Maslow and Apu Mullick, along with their crews, and members of the Springfield Auxiliary Police and Springfield Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.). In addition to the above-mentioned partners, the Egg Hunt & Kite Fest received logistical and staff support from the Recreation Department, Department of Public Works, and several youth and adult volunteers.
Photos by Dawn Wilkenfeld, Springfield Recreation Department
