Grey skies and light rain couldn’t spoil one of Lititz’s sweetest traditions in September 2014. The 23rd annual Teddy Bear Day in the Park filled Lititz Springs Park with children, parents and stuffed bears of every size for games, crafts, face painting, a coloring contest and, of course, a parade.
The event is organized by the Lititz Women of Today, a community service group, and has been a local fixture for more than two decades.
A birthday surprise
One family discovered the event by coincidence. When Emily Leid called the park to reserve a pavilion for her son Teddy’s teddy-bear-themed first birthday, she learned his party fell on the same day as Teddy Bear Day. Dressed in tan overalls with handmade bear ears, the birthday boy fit right in. His mother joked that the family had come to celebrate Teddy Bear Day with their own little teddy bear.
The parade
The parade is the centerpiece of the day, with prizes awarded in three categories: Best Dressed, Most Unusual and Best Bear Float. The 2014 judge was Deb Stein, state president of the Women of Today, who was invited by the Lititz chapter.
Stein admitted the job was harder than it looked, especially in the Most Unusual category. She didn’t want to disappoint anyone, and she was delighted when a volunteer told her one little girl had called it the best day she’d ever had.
The Best Dressed winner wore a white gown, while other entrants matched their outfits to their bears or came dressed as characters from Disney’s “Frozen,” the movie of the moment. The Most Unusual prize went to a boy who carried a brown bear nearly as big as he was.
In the float category, a Frozen-themed wagon took first place, with stuffed horses pulling a white bear in a sequined snowflake dress. A patriotic wagon full of bears and a float featuring Girl Scout cookies rounded out the winners.
The first-place Best Dressed winner, a first grader at Bonfield Elementary, said winning made her happy. Her prize bag held a school box, markers, a snack and a bright green whistle, and she got to see some school friends at the park too.
Generations of memories
For some families, Teddy Bear Day is a tradition passed down. Kayla Shaffer brought her two children because she remembered the event from her own childhood. She still recalled the prizes, little furry bears, and the beehive game in which children reached in to pull out a surprise.
Even as the downtown bells played “Here Comes the Sun” at 1 p.m., the clouds stayed put and rain came and went. The children didn’t seem to notice.
Giving back
Along with the fun, the Lititz Women of Today collected donations for the Conner Holland Foundation, a nonprofit led by Kevin and Sheryl Holland in memory of their son, Conner, who died of leukemia in 2011. The foundation provides support, care and financial assistance to families coping with pediatric cancer.
Parents appreciated that the event combined a free afternoon of fun with a chance to help. One mother said her family liked helping out the community, and her daughter looked forward to the day every year.
About the Lititz Women of Today
The Lititz Women of Today is part of a national network of volunteer service clubs that organize community projects, fundraisers and events. Teddy Bear Day remains one of its most beloved efforts, offering families a low-key, budget-friendly outing in the heart of town.
A Lititz tradition
With its spring-fed stream, shady pavilions and central location, Lititz Springs Park has hosted generations of community gatherings. Teddy Bear Day is among the gentlest of them: a few hours where the stars of the show are small children and their favorite stuffed companions, and where a little rain is no reason to go home.