Activities were held all day long at the Springfield Museums to celebrate the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss, who was born in Springfield.
Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback-Donna Szaban of Springfield as The Cat in the Hat , right, greets Marin Mastrianni, 3, and her dad James Mastrianni of Saratoga Springs, NY during the Springfield Museums' "Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration" on Saturday.SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Museums celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Saturday with some face painting, hip-hop dancing and birthday hat making.
Theodor Seuss Geisel – also known as children’s author Dr. Seuss – was born in Springfield on March 2, 1904, so it was only appropriate that the museums – which boast a Seuss-themed sculpture garden – would go all out for his birthday.
His famous “Cat in the Hat” roamed through the grounds, posing for pictures with the partygoers, including Dylan Bruns, 6, and Evan Wilson, 9, who came all the way from Syracuse, N.Y., with their aunt Kirstyn Gainer and grandmother Diane Wilson to spend a day at the museums.
Children took advantage of the mild weather and climbed on the Seuss sculptures. Tyler P. Willey, 5, of Montague, who had his face painted like Spiderman, climbed on the sculpture of Dr. Seuss. He said that was his favorite thing about the day so far.
His mother, Bethany M. Jenest, said they are Dr. Seuss fans and her son has been reading about him in school, so they decided to take in the celebration.
“This is a great place, and not too far away,” she said.
Her friend, Kate M. Emond, of Montague, brought her daughter Skye, 7. Skye sported a painted butterfly on her face. The face-painting was done by “The Happy Face Painter.” Skye said the best part of the day was “seeing the Cat in the Hat.” She also made a green foam snake.
At the George Walter Vincent Smith Museum, throngs of children and adults crowded inside the colorful Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center to make a birthday cake hat. Amy and Jeff Aureli of Granby, Conn., brought their 27-month-old daughter Hayden, who made a hat.
“We thought this would be a good activity to get out of the house today,” Amy Aureli said. “She loves all the characters.”
Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback-Donna Szaban of Springfield as The Cat in the Hat greets Ali Williams, age 2 of Greenfield during the Springfield Museums' "Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration" on Saturday.Janelle M. Bonilla, 9, of Chicopee, had her face painted like a blue tiger; she was getting ready to make her birthday hat.
Samantha Buckley, discovery center coordinator, estimated that more than 200 children made hats. After they decorated the “birthday cake” part, the children went to Buckley to get it attached to a band and have it “custom fit” around their heads.
“I like those stars,” she said to one boy who presented her with his hat.
“My parents helped me,” he responded.
Tyrone C. Housey, of Ludlow, brought his daughter Sadie, 3, to get her hat fitted. It was decorated with the words “Honey Dove,” his nickname for her. His son, Darius, 6, was still working on his creation. He said they liked the hip-hop show, which explained the history of the music.
“This is a nice place to bring the kids. It’s got a little history, a little culture. It’s good stuff,” Housey said.
Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback-Donna Szaban of Springfield as The Cat in the Hat greets Avery Burkholder, age 3 of Longmeadow during the Springfield Museums' "Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration" on Saturday. In the stroller is Burkholder's sister Medelyn Burkholder, age 10 months.