HALLOWEEN SING-A-LONG
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28th
6:45 p.m.
The West Springfield Park and Recreation Department’s Halloween party for Town children will feature a Sing-A-Long by local performer Roger Tincknell and will be held at the Rotary Pavilion in Mittineague Park. The show will start promptly at 6:45 p.m. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to get seats. Parents must accompany their children. Children and chaperons are invited to come in costume. Be sure to dress warm. The Halloween Party will last about one hour and will conclude with each child receiving a Halloween Treat. Program will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be moved indoors to the Middle School, please call the current event phone 781-3020, or visit the Park and Recreation Dept. website at www.west-springfield.ma.us to verify program location.
Fall Nature Walk
October 29, 2011
The Park and Recreation Department and the West Springfield Environmental Committee are hosting a Fall Foliage Walk in Mittineague Park on Saturday, October 29th .Meeting time is 10 a.m. at the entrance to the Park (by Santa’s House) off Route 20 (Westfield Street).
Fall marks the period when animals and plants begin preparations to deal with the demands of winter. The most noticeable sign of this is the changing color of leaves on plants and especially deciduous trees. This magic captures what fall is really about for most New Englanders.
Our field trip will focus on the hows and whys of these changes. Participants will also have a chance to enjoy the feast which nature presents to their senses – the sights, smells, and sounds of this beautiful time of year. We will use part of the interpretive nature trail as our guide to capture the spirit of this season.
Participants should dress appropriately and wear good footwear. The outing will last about two hours. All ages are welcome. Pets should be left at home. The trip leader is Dietrich Schlobohm, an environmental historian and naturalist. Contact him at 788-4125 to gain additional information. Heavy rain will cancel. Our rain date is Sunday, October 30th at the same time and place.
RAIL JAM 2011
November 12th
11:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cooks Park
This is the 3rd year that the Park and Recreation Department is proud to partner with Colorado Ski Shop and Ski Sundown to bring Rail Jam 3! Any skier or snowboarder wishing to participate in the competition is requiered to pre-register at the Colorado Ski Shop before November 10th. Entry fee $20. Cash or Ski/Snowboard equipment give aways for the winners. Manufacturer reps from the ski and snowboard industry will be present with freebies for the crowd. Meet some Pros. Enter great raffles. Full concessions. Admission is free. All proceeds benefit the Park and Recreation Department for future programming.
NEW YORK
December 3rd
Who doesn’t LOVE New York at Christmas time? There is so much to see and do in this great city. You’ll be on your own for the day to see a show, shop till you drop or tour around. Never a dull moment, the day is like a blur until we board for home. A dinner stop on the way home is planned (meals not included in price) Bus drop offs and pick up locations determined by the bus driver. Departure Time: 7:30 a.m., Return Time: Approx. 9:30 p.m., Fee: $45 per person ~ Activity # 514020
24th ANNUAL CAROLING ON THE GREEN
DECEMBER 1st
5:45 p.m. at the Elm Street Gazebo. Joining our annual carol sing-a-long this evening are the Holyoke High School Madrigal Singers and Hand Bell Choir. Under the direction of Mr. Mark Todd, the ensembles have appeared at area holiday school and public events for the last six years. Bring your singing voices and expect to be cheered and dazzled in the ambience of the evening!
Chanukkah Celebration
Tuesday - December 20 ~ 4:00 p.m.
Elm Street Common across from the Majestic Theatre
Chanukkah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight-day celebration which begins this year on Tuesday evening, December 20th.
SANTA’S HOUSE
Mittineague Park
Main Entrance off Route 20
The West Springfield Park and Recreation Department has been sponsoring Santa’s House, located in Mittineague Park, since 1980. Santa will meet the children of West Springfield each evening before Christmas. Santa is scheduled to arrive Sunday, December 11th at 2:00 p.m.
Visiting Hours for Santa are as follows:
December 11 - 23rd
Monday - Friday hours ~ 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday hours ~ 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
FREE SKATING
AMELIA PARK ICE ARENA, WESTFIELD
December 30, 2011 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
February 24, 2012 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
To participate in this event, any West Springfield resident must aquire a free skate voucher at the P&R office starting three weeks prior to the scheduled skate date. Proof of residency is required! The voucher must be presented at the time of skate to receive admission. Parental signature is required for children under18, and helmets are highly recommended. Skate rentals are available for $2.00.
Fishing Derby
APRIL 14, 2012
7:30 a.m.
For all kids who love to fish--or who’d love to give it a try. The West Springfield Park and Recreation Department will host the 25th Annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 14th, 2012, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Upper Reservoir, located at the intersection of Amostown Road and Smyrna Street. The Fishing Derby is open to children 15 years and younger and is generously sponsored by Sullivan Paper Company and Donut Dip, Inc. The Derby is free; however, contestants must furnish their own equipment and bait. Trophies will be awarded according to category and age group. Each participant will receive a “goodie bag” which includes miscellaneous fishing related items such as hooks, bobbers and more. Also,
participants can register for a drawing of some neat prizes such as fishing rods, reels and tackle boxes. A full concession stand will be available. Proceeds to benefit future Park and Recreation programming.
EASTER EGG HUNT
APRIL 7, 2012
Join the Search
for over 7,000 eggs
The annual Easter Egg Hunt, for Town children, ages 7 years and younger will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at Mittineague Park. Children are invited to meet the Easter Bunny and receive a candy treat between 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the tennis court area and then the Egg Hunt will begin SHARPLY at 10:30 a.m. The children will be divided into three color-coded age groups, Yellow for 2 years and under, Pink for 3 to 4 years and Purple for 5 to 7 years old. Each age group will have a separate section to partake in their hunt for candy filled eggs. Please look for your child’s age grouping color.
In the event of inclement weather, please call 781-3020 or visit us on-line at www.west-springfield.ma.us for updated information regarding the hunt. Due to the fields being extremely wet, please dress your children appropriately. Please note that Mittineague Park will be closed to vehicles from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. due to the event. In addition, at the Easter Bunny’s request, we ask that you leave your dogs at home!
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