The Springfield Recreation Department's Halloween Spooktacular was held in the Chisholm Community Center's Lee Adler Memorial Gymnasium due to morning rain and soaked grass on Sunday, October 29, 2023. The change in venue did not discourage 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 family category. Participants were judged by Mike Scalera, State Farm Insurance Agent and Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce Co-Chairman, and Isaiah Asmani, Recreation Program Coordinator. After opening remarks by Mayor Chris Capodice, Township Committeeman Harris Laufer, and Adam Lieb, Director of Recreation, contest winners in six categories were revealed by Brendan O'Reilly, Assistant Director of Recreation. Winners received gift cards to Barnes & Noble, Dunkin' Donuts, and TD Pizza (see winners' names and pictures below), sponsored by Scalera, Scott Seidel of Cardinal Land Properties, Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct Realty, and the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce. The crowd was also treated to a special performance of "Time Warp" by students of Front & Center for Performing Arts, led by owners Renee Celeste-Lira and Julie Lira. 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 Professor Harry Hocus performed magic tricks and illusions. Candy bags were distributed by Giovanni "John" Apicella, Realtor-Sales Associate, of Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct Realty. Children also received Red Ribbon Week pencils, bookmarks, and erasers. 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 Springfield Auxiliary Police, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), First Aid Squad, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) assisted with event logistics, as did Springfield Recreation Department staff and local volunteers. Prior to the event, Springfield Department of Public Works delivered the hay bales and prepped the Chisholm Park field in anticipation for an outdoor event. In addition to those mentioned above, other local officials in attendance included Apu Mullick, Springfield First Aid Squad Chief and OEM Deputy Coordinator; Erwin Heinrich, Fire Captain; and Frank Applegate, OEM Deputy Coordinator. Follow the Springfield Recreation Department to view more event photos on Facebook @springfieldnjrec
Costume contest winners
Infant - Pre-K: Gerald G., Journey P., Josiah V.
K - 1st: Cali K., Bella R., Julianna J.
2nd - 3rd: Nicholas F., Jacob K., Valentino J.
4th - 5th: Julianne H., Gabriel T., Kaileena L.
6th - 8th: Joshua T., Lawrence W., Jerome R.M.
Family: Lopez Family
