DEERFIELD — Recreation Director and Deerfield native Sue Antonellis is concluding 25 years of planning events for children in town with “one last go-around,” an afternoon of free activities and music on Saturday, Aug. 30.
From 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Memorial Field, located at 8 Conway St., children living in Deerfield can hop in a bounce house, speed through an obstacle course, have their faces painted and pick out balloon sculptures.
Local cover band Chick ‘n’ Wire will perform from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Visitors can munch on food and sip drinks from the Crazy Arepas food truck, and try free cake while they listen.
In a phone interview, Antonellis said she decided to retire to make more time for relaxing, gardening and traveling with her family. She plans to stay in Deerfield.
“It’s just time to move on,” she said.
During her 25 years as recreation director, Antonellis said she has watched the elementary school children play in the town’s sports programs and grow up to become the middle and high schoolers who run them.
“It’s really fun to watch those kids grow up,” Antonellis said.
She added that she is excited to “be with the kids that one last time” at her retirement party. If the turnout matches past similar events, she anticipates 200 to 300 people may stop by to celebrate and say goodbye.