It’s a bird… It’s a plane… It’s your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
That’s what close to 90 people witnessed while in attendance for the New Lenox Community Park District’s second annual Mom/Son Superhero Night on May 7.
Without introduction, Spiderman greeted the crowd of young boys and their mothers.
He leaped, he crawled, he flipped.
Those were some of Spiderman’s stunts met by a host of smiles and flashing cameras as mothers looked to capture the special memories made.
For one evening, the Lions Community Center was transformed into a play place. They enjoyed making masks, capes and slime.
“We wanted an opportunity for moms and sons to spend some time together,” said Tracy Wrase, recreation supervisor for New Lenox Community Park District. “We thought we would do this event.”
“We figured this would be something to get their attention to hang out with mom for an evening,” Wrase said of the superhero theme.
Last year, roughly 50 people joined forces for Mom/Son Superhero Night.
Wrase credits the growth of the event to two key factors.
“I think it’s just because it’s a popular event, and we’ve found that on Sunday evenings it’s a really good opportunity because there’s not a whole lot going on,” she said. “The timing and then the theme kind of, I think, just all works together.”
Courtney Pritchard, of New Lenox, said she was enjoying her night with her 6-year-old son, Mason, who came decked out as Batman. The activities offered were nice to see, she said.
“I think it’s geared toward the boys, for sure,” Courtney said. “I think the slime station was amazing. They have balloons to pop, they have snacks and basically, everything that a boy would love.”
Courtney said she thinks the idea of holding Mom/Son Superhero Night is a good idea.
“I think it’s a time where a mom and son can bond together, and it’s totally geared toward him because he loves superheroes,” she said. “It’s something other than the normal everyday going to a park or going to dinner or something like that.”
Mason said he likes Mom/Son Superhero Night and said superheroes are his favorite.
“I like the masks and capes because superheroes wear them, so I can see them,” he said.
Courtney said it’s important to spend time with her son, especially “considering he’s my only son, so it’s amazing. I have a daughter, but obviously, it’s important to spend time with them.”
Jenn Drymiller, also of New Lenox, said she’s glad she and her 3-year-old son, Dexter, decided to drop in.
“All the awesome things that they’re giving us,” Jenn said. “It’s amazing.”
This year was the Drymiller’s first time attending Mom/Son Superhero Night.
“I didn’t expect there to be so much for the kids to do—so much for them to make and take home,” Jenn said. “That was definitely very impressive.”
Lisa Kukla, of Joliet, was watching as her 6-year-old son, Colin, decorated a cape to take home and wear.
“He just wrote, ‘I love mom’ on there,” Lisa said. “I almost balled my eyes out.”
Colin said his favorite part of Mom/Son Superhero Night was making the cape.
Colin came decked out as Spiderman and said he knew he had to wear the costume.
“I like it,” he said.
Lisa said her favorite of Mom/Son Superhero night is “just the one-on-one time I get to spend with this little guy.”