Westfield Announcements

During the month of October, there are many events around Westfield in celebration of Halloween. Whether activities at school, the annual Halloween Parade or trick-or-treat downtown, Miller-Cory Hocus Pocus, the Great Pumpkin Fair at Franklin School, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra concert, Williams Nursery events or the popular Halloween Haunted House at the Memorial Pool, there's something for everyone.

At Williams Nursery located at 524 Springfield Avenue, enjoy hayrides, pony rides, pick your own pumpkins, a fun maze, a scarecrow contest, costume contest and a free tasting of fall butters and salsas. Every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and also on Monday, October 12, there will be pony rides at Williams Nursery located at 524 Springfield Avenue. From October 1 - 24, the 10th Annual Williams Nursery Scarecrow Contest will take place. Judging from the public will take place at Williams Nursery through October 24. On October 25, the scarecrows will be transferred to downtown Westfield and on display downtown through October 31. Winners of the contest will be awarded prizes from Downtown Westfield Corporation and Williams Nursery. On October 24th, Williams will be sponsoring their annual costume contest at 2:00 pm and prizes will be awarded.

On Saturday, October 24th from 11:00am to 4pm, the Great Pumpkin Fair returns to Franklin School and offers family fun for everyone. Visit the haunted house, play games, win a goldfish, face painting, crafts, obstacle course, prizes, crafts, bake sale, gift basket raffles and more. Rain or shine at Franklin Elementary school at 700 Prospect Street.

On Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 pm, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra performs Dracula, a Musical! Bela Lugosi in Dracula, Saint-Saens--Symphony #3 at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield. Bela Lugosi's 1931 classic Dracula rises from the archives to the big screen with a never-before-heard live symphonic soundtrack. A Halloween Costume Contest will be held with cash prizes.

On Sunday, October 25, the ever-popular Downtown Trick-or-Treat event will return from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm sponsored by the Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC). Trick-or-Treaters will be welcomed in all businesses displaying an orange 'Trick-or-Treat' poster in the window. At 3:30 pm, Sunday, October 25, the DWC will host the annual costume contest on Quimby Street with wonderful prizes being offered by sponsoring businesses along with entertainment by local resident and entertainer Michael Doyle.

Also, on Sunday, October 25, the Miller-Cory House Museum will be offering the Halloween Hocus Pocus event ideal for young children. For more information, call the Miller-Cory House Museum at 232-1776.

On Sunday, October 29, the ever-popular and traditional Westfield Y's Men's Club Halloween Parade will be held. Participants should line up at the Elm Street field at 12:30 pm for costume judging. The parade will begin at 1:00 pm and end at Mindowaskin Park where prizes will be awarded.

The Optimist Club of Westfield is sponsoring the Haunted House at the Memorial Pool on Halloween, October 31 from 4 pm to 9 pm at the Westfield Memorial Pool Complex for a $4 admission. Entertainment, food, hay rides, clowns, magicians start at 3:30 pm. Children under 10 are recommended to attend the haunted house from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. The event is co-sponsored by Westfield Recreation Department.

Picture attached: Celebrate Happy Halloween in Westfield. Photo courtesy of Dave Williams, Williams Nursery, 524 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, NJ.