A flying witch races toward the moon as her familiar looks on at this Bates Street home. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THEWESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – Westfield on Weekends’ reimagined Fourth Annual PumpkinFest starts this weekend, kicking off two weeks of fall fun for the community with a Haunted House Tour, Scarecrow Trail and drive-in Halloween movie.
Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional PumpkinFest could not take place in one day downtown as it has the past three years. Instead, PumpkinFest co-chairs Robert Plasse and Jason Polan, along with their committee, had to think about the event differently.
Stanley, the scarecrow at Stanley Park, gives a friendly wave as one of Westfield’s famous black squireels sits on his shoulder. (STANLEY PARK PHOTO)
“We are pleased to present a safe and responsible twist on the classic PumpkinFest,” said Plasse. “While we have had to cancel this year’s in-person festival, we have gone outside of the box and planned a calendar of exciting events that can be enjoyed by families on their own during a two-week period, beginning on Oct. 16.”
Starting Friday, the drive-by Haunted House Tour and Scarecrow Trail offer socially distant Halloween festivities for families through Oct. 31. The free, self-guided tours will bring visitors to homes and businesses throughout the city. There are nearly 50 “haunted” houses and 50 residential scarecrows, as well as 36 businesses hosting scarecrows. An interactive Google map showcases the locations of scarecrows and hauntings throughout the city. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite house and scarecrow via the Witalisz & Associates Facebook page.
This hard-working scarecrow couple on Moseley Avenue greet visitors with mops and brooms. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THEWESTFIELD NEWS)
On Oct. 17, WOW is showing the Halloween classic family movie “Hocus Pocus” at 6:30 p.m., preceded by a program of kids music provided by JP’s Sound and Lights at 5:30 p.m. The event will be at the Middle School Athletic Field, located at the Boys and Girls Club with entrance on Broad Street. Attendance is free with donations suggested, but reservations are required by calling 413-562-2301 or emailing [email protected].
Creatures from beyond haunt this house on Carpenter Street. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THEWESTFIELD NEWS)
All donations made on movie night will be shared by The Boys and Girls Club and WOW. Cars will be allowed onto the grounds at 5 p.m. with limited spaces available to allow safe distancing. Masks must be worn should moviegoers wish to purchase a treat or use portable bathrooms.
