SEYMOUR – Students have a chance to nab school supplies to fill their backpacks during a town-wide scavenger hunt on Saturday, Aug. 10.
The Love Mom XOXO Foundaton is teaming with the town to host the second annual “Build A Backpack” scavenger hunt. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. The starting point is at the Seymour Community Center, located at 20 Pine St.
The event is free. Adult teams can also join. Registration can be done online by clicking this link.
Teams will be given riddles to solve and trivia questions to answer as they make their way around town following clues via car, by walking or finding the items right at the community center.
The teams will be rewarded with all kinds of school supplies to fill their backpacks, handed out by volunteers stationed at various locations. Prizes also include a ride to school in a police car or a fire truck, and the opportunity to be the First Selectperson of Seymour for a day.
Last year’s event drew nearly 30 teams, according to Love Mom XOXO Founder and Seymour resident Lori Nespoli, who established the family bereavement nonprofit in 2022 in honor of her late sister Lynn.
“The inaugural scavenger hunt went very well last year, and it was very well-received,” Nespoli said. “The participants had a great time which is why we decided to make it an annual event.”
Before the teams head out in search of the goods, and upon their return, Nespoli said they can enjoy plenty of activities at Randall Field at the community center. Dozens of local vendors and organizations will have booths. Bring the Hoopla! and Mustang Meadows, a horse-riding center, will be there, too.
A highlight of the event will be a chance to dunk First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis and other special guests in a dunk tank.
When all the teams return to the community center, and the winners are determined, an after-party and family movie will be shown on a big movie screen, donated by the Knott family.
Nespoli said the event is sponsored by Bushi Ban and M & T Bank, and she thanked all those who donated school supplies during a recent collection.
Drugonis said she’s excited to team up again with Love Mom XOXO for Saturday’s event.
“This event brings everyone together to learn about our town, have fun and be involved in our community,” Drugonis said.
Any nonprofits or businesses interested in exhibiting their wares can register online by clicking this link.
For more information about the event, visit Love Mom XOXO’s website or email Nespoli at: lori@lovemomxoxo.org.
Nespoli said her sister Lynn, in whose memory the foundation was created, worked in education and was a “fierce competitor who loved games.” She said the scavenger hunt is a great way to honor things that were dear to her sister’s heart.
“Our Foundation tries to do activities and fundraisers that are a little outside of the norm and I hadn’t seen an actual scavenger hunt like this anywhere in our area,” Nespoli said. “We also believe as a nonprofit the importance of giving back to our community.”
