Westfield Historical Society’s AppleFest 2020
On Saturday, October 17th, 2020 (rain date Oct. 18) the Westfield Historical Society will hold the Annual AppleFest on the lawn of the Reeve House, 314 Mountain Ave., Westfield. This year’s AppleFest will look different from previous years as special measures will be taken for the safety of guests and volunteers during these pandemic times. To ensure appropriate socially distanced conditions for the event, pre-registration will be required for one of two sessions. Session 1, 12:00 - 2:00pm; or session 2, 2:00-4:00pm. Masks are required while attending the event and hand sanitizing stations will be located at each activity.
This annual fund-raising event, hosted on the lawn of the Reeve House on Mountain Avenue, draws all ages. Younger children have fun with old-fashioned games, while their parents can enjoy live music by the local Westfield band “Save Mary”, covering tunes for the last 40 years. As in past years, short “Lightning Talks” will be presented, featuring stories about Charles Addams by Ron MacCloskey, the Revolutionary War Flags by Ron Mullen, highlights of Westfield 300 by Robert Wendel and Historic facts about the 1918 Spanish Flu. The Charles Addams “Dudley the Skeleton” drawing exhibit will also be on display during the event.
AppleFest 2020 will sponsor an art contest for elementary and middle school students, drawing on the theme of Westfield STRONG and documenting experiences of the Covid19 year. A mask decorating competition is also planned, and a Treasure Hunt, organized by curators of the Westfield Historical Society Archives will conclude with the last clue on the lawn of the Reeve House. The Apple Café will feature new selections by chef Greg Hichok.
AppleFest will feature a special celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the Women’s Vote, the College Woman's Club of Westfield invites all area women and girls to get their picture taken with Susan B. Anthony! Ms. Anthony will make a special appearance at the Westfield Historical Society's AppleFest. Women of voting age will receive "I Voted" stickers to affix to Ms. Anthony in gratitude. "It has become a moving tradition for women to place 'I Voted' stickers on the gravesites of the original suffragettes," said Anne Wargo, president of the College Woman's Club. "This is our way of paying homage locally to these founders of the women's rights movement."
Admission is $5 per person, and free for veterans and children under 3 years old. Thanks to all Westfielders, as always, for their commitment to this town, its past and its future. The AppleFest Committee looks forward to seeing many families on October 17.
AppleFest is open to all members of the community, but reservations are required for one of the two shifts: 12-2pm or 2-4pm. All who are interested in attending should please make reservations with the Westfield Historical Society at 908-654-1794; or by email to westfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
The Westfield Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. Since 1968, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Westfield Historical Society has worked to preserve, interpret, and encourage interest in history, Westfield, and its residents through educational efforts and community outreach programs.
For further information on the Westfield Historical Society and its activities, or to volunteer, call (908)654-1794 or visit www.westfieldhistoricalsociety.org, like on facebook and follow in Instagram.
