The Springfield Recreation Department’s Halloween Spooktacular was held outside at Chisholm Park under sunny blue skies that reached 60 degrees on Sunday, October 27, 2024. The venue encouraged hundreds of community members of all ages to gather and show off their scariest and most original costumes at the annual costume contest, which included a surprise new "duo" category. Participants were judged by Jay Spinelli, Township Public Information Officer and Executive Director of the Springfield Business Improvement District (BID); Deputy Mayor Harris Laufer; and Andrea Schaffer-Rousso, immediate past Service Unit Leader of the Springfield Girl Scouts. After opening remarks by Township Committeeman Alex Keiser and Adam Lieb, Director of Recreation, contest winners in each category were revealed by Brendan O’Reilly, Assistant Director of Recreation. Winners received gift cards to Barnes & Noble (see winners’ names and pictures below), sponsored by Mike Scalera of State Farm Insurance, Scott Seidel of Cardinal Land Properties, Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct Realty, and the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the event, DJ Drew from Summit Soundz entertained the crowd; a photo ring photographed families and texted a free photo gallery to their cell phones; and Magician Peter Juris performed magic tricks and illusions. Candy bags were distributed by Dylan Elliott and Andre Saraiva of Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct Realty, and Chief Marla Napurano and members of the Springfield First Aid Squad. Children also received Red Ribbon Week frisbees and sunglasses, as well as a variety of Halloween craft kits. Cornhole and ladder toss games were set up for children to play in the gymnasium. The first 200 guests who pre-registered for the event enjoyed a basket of warm donuts from the Glazed & Confused food truck. The Police and Fire Departments, Auxiliary Police, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), First Aid Squad, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) assisted with event safety. Springfield Recreation Department staff and several local volunteers were on hand to supervise activities, registration, and give-aways. Prior to the event, Springfield Department of Public Works delivered the hay bales and prepped the Chisholm Park grass field. Follow us on Facebook @springfieldnjrec for more Halloween Spooktacular photos!
Costume Contest Winners
Infant-Pre K: Sienna F., Amelia H., Valerie D.
K-1st: Spencer D., Mira F., Antonino A.
2nd-3rd: Benjamin D., Ela A., Dhyaan P.
4th-5th: Aubrey P., Gabriel T., Nicholas F.
6th-8th: Logan V., Delaney D., Josh T.
Family: Giamis Family
Duo: Erin and Hudson S.
