The Springfield community came together to light the Christmas Tree outside Town Hall and the First Aid Squad on Tuesday night, December 3, 2024. Hundreds of children and adults packed the municipal complex grounds on the 30 degree night for DJ music by Summit Soundz and 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 owned by Renee Celeste-Lira and Julie Lira; and members of the Jonathan Dayton High School All Stars under the direction of Ben Krupit and Ashley Bauers. After the performances, Mayor Chris Weber -- standing with Deputy Mayor Harris Laufer, Director of Recreation Adam Lieb, and Assistant Director of Recreation Brendan O’Reilly -- offered greetings and led the countdown to the tree lighting. The crowd was then treated to an appearance by Santa Claus who posed for photos and distributed candy canes to a long line of families. During the event, a Toy Soldier on stilts and the Grinch interacted with children and posed for photos. Children also practiced their wintry aim in the new Winter Ring Toss Inflatable by Amazing Amusements. Families enjoyed a petting zoo and horse and carriage rides by Kafka Farms. Five hundred hot pretzels were provided by the Springfield Recreation Department; local coupon books and give-aways were distributed by the Springfield Business Improvement District (B.I.D.); donuts and hot chocolate were served by the Springfield F.M.B.A. Local #57 led by Firefighter Michael Vanadia, President; and the First Aid Squad led by Chief Marla Napurano passed out glow necklaces. Throughout the night, the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield led by Rev. Jen Van Zandt gave away holiday gift bags with water bottles and collected winter clothing accessories on behalf of the Springfield Unity Project. Several members of Boys Scouts Troop #73 were on hand to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) Church and Cannon Chapter led by Heather Sanford had a tent under which sponsorships were offered for veteran’s wreaths for Wreaths Across America and coloring pages for children. Other Township officials in attendance included: Linda Donnelly, Municipal Clerk; Maureen Connell, Deputy Municipal Clerk; John Cook, Police Chief; Michael Mastroeni, Fire Captain/Officer in Charge; Marc Russo, Sal Cocuzza, Marc Corea, Erwin Heinrich, and Victor Kostin, Fire Captains; Jay Spinelli, Public Information Officer and Springfield B.I.D. Executive Director; Scott Seidel, Office of Emergency Management Coordinator; Apu Mullick and Frank Applegate, Office of Emergency Management Deputy Coordinators; Diane Sherry, Chief Financial Officer; Angelo Palumbo, Auxiliary Police Chief; Robert Sabol and Jason Mullman, Department of Public Works staff members; Jennifer Law, Planning Board Administrator; Mike Scalera, Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce Co-Chairman; as well as members of many departments’ staffs.
