Architectural rendering of the new Beveridge Pavilion area.
WESTFIELD – Stanley Park of Westfield is hosting a Saturday in the Park Garden Party on Saturday, August 22 from 3 to 6 p.m. The fundraising event, which will take place at the Beveridge Pavilion Annex, will be a tasting and sampling of local food, wines and beer served by area restaurants, wineries and breweries. Tickets are $35 per person, and the money raised will go to help complete the new Beveridge Pavilion.
Participants include Artisan Beverage Cooperative, Berkshire Brewing Company, Olde Farm American Bistro at Ranch Golf Club, B’Shara’s Restaurant, Commercial Distributors, East Mountain Country Club,
G.I.L.T.E., Phyls Bakery Cookies, Cakes and More, Horizon Distribution, Raven Hollow Winery, Shortstop Bar & Grill, Skyline Hop Shop, Tucker’s Restaurant, and the Westfield River Brewing Co. There will be music by the Argiro Quintet, featuring vocalist Andrea Niki. There will also be a garden-themed raffle and silent auction.
Stanley Park is a private, non-profit park, supported by foundations and donors.
“Fundraising helps to maintain and sustain this beautiful park,” Lisa Gadreault, development supervisor at the park, said. She added that the garden party will also bring the community together by showcasing local vendors and their wares.
Robert (Bob) McKean, managing director of Stanley Park, is enthusiastic about the new pavilion that is underway.
“This is the last one that will be built for a long, long time,” he said, noting that the old pavilion lasted 55 to 60 years. He said once complete, the open-air Beveridge Pavilion will be “a mini-Tanglewood area with nice lighting, a whole big beautiful grassed-in area for outdoor seating, and a beautiful serving kitchen.”
He said the Park employees will build the stage and do the landscaping themselves.
They will also plant new red maples around the area to replace some of the trees that were taken down, half of which were rotten and dangerous, according to McKean.
“This is how we’re paying it forward and paying it back to the generation before us,” he said. “I’m honored and privileged to carry it on with my great team here.”
He said he hopes the new Pavilion will be completed by late September or early October, although no events will be scheduled there until next year.
“Timing is everything,” he added.
McKean also gave credit to the volunteer committee planning the garden party, saying, “We couldn’t survive without them here. This (event) is a win-win for everybody. People will have a chance to come in, help support Stanley Park, and still have Saturday night free.”
The public is encouraged to register in advance for the Saturday in the Park Garden Party by going to www.stanleypark.org or by calling 413-568-9312 ext. 112. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
