Longswamp parks commission approves small event spending, advances plans for 2025 SwampFest and spring Egg Hunt

The Longswamp Township Parks and Recreation Commission met Dec. 17, 2024, approved minutes from Nov. 19, 2024, and authorized $38.44 for supplies used at the community Christmas Tree Lighting. The commission recorded more than 100 attendees at the lighting and thanked volunteers and contributors for decorations, story reading, lighting setup and refreshments.

The commission confirmed the Egg Hunt will be held April 12, 2025, and listed the Great Pumpkin Hunt as to be determined. Members spent substantial time on SwampFest planning: the event is scheduled for June 14, 2025, and the group discussed adding another information-table location, pre-making and sorting event buttons, volunteer scheduling so members can take breaks, parking coverage (they plan to contact Royal and Norm), and promotional booklet logistics. The commission planned to begin sending vendor and participant contracts in the first week of January and discussed selling booklet ad space and sending sponsorship letters to local businesses. They also discussed SwampFest swag and T-shirt production and whether to post on the township sign the need to collect worn flags for a retirement ceremony and to list food vendors' menus for review.

Supervisor remarks to the commission included that township property taxes will not increase in 2025 and that the Board of Supervisors has discussed the township's 250th anniversary, including fireworks; the supervisor also noted a separate discussion that the township might not hold SwampFest in 2025 and said Topton's ability to help finance anniversary activities is "not good." The Parks and Rec discussion shows the commission is continuing event planning while the supervisors consider anniversary options.

Procedural motions recorded in the minutes included approval of the Nov. 19, 2024 minutes (motion: first Leann, second Kaitey), approval of $38.44 for supplies for the Christmas Tree Lighting (motion: first Leann, second Kaitey), and a motion to adjourn (first Leann, second Kaitey). The minutes do not record further votes on SwampFest logistics or vendor contracts.

The commission also discussed Sam's Club credit-card use for purchases and requested confirmation from Sheila about continued assistance with the SwampFest booklet layout. Volunteer coordination and sponsorship outreach were emphasized as priorities for the coming weeks. The minutes list a next meeting on Jan. 21; the recorded "Next Meeting" line in the minutes contains a year inconsistency in the original document (see note on chronology).