At least 300 residents attended the holiday event as Westfield kicked off its Dickens Days celebration.
Santa rides in the latern parade in Westfield on Monday evening. The parade was a part of the tree lighting ceremony in the center of town.WESTFIELD – “This season more that ever it is important for Westfield to carry on its holiday tradition,” said Westfield on Weekends president Robert A. Plasse as the city kicked off its 7th annual Dickens Days celebration.
“Our downtown is in transition, there has been lots of construction but the roads are now clear and the city deserves to celebrate,” said Plasse as he and others prepared for Monday’s Lanternlight Parade and holiday tree lighting.
“This kicks off our month long celebration,” Plasse said.
At least 300 residents attended the ceremony.
“They are certainly making it work,” said Beth Griffith who was accompanied by daughters Claire, 6 and Nora, 8.
Claire and Nora said they were there to see Santa, who set up shop in Lang Auditorium inside the Athenaeum following the tree lighting.
Former Westfield YMCA director Harry F. Rock said “This is the real spirit of Westfield. And, I love the new location for the Christmas Tree,” which was located on an island in the middle of Court Street rather than in Park Square.
“This is a wonderful event,” Anne P. Rock added.
Park Square Green was leveled earlier this year and serves as a staging area for construction crews working on the $14 million reconstruction of Main and Broad streets. The work, which started in April has provided motorists and pedestrian with nightmares.
But like Plasse, Business Improvement District director Lisa G. McMahon said “the roads are now paved, construction trucks put away for the winter and our merchants are still here.
“We hope the people will now come out,” said McMahon.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, who threw the switch lighting the tree, said “the construction is temporary. We have a good crowd tonight and this event went off fine.
Dickens Days continues with Gerald Charles Dickens, great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, and his performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Friday at 8 p.m. at Central Baptist Church on Elm Street. Tickets are $15 for adults and reservations are available by calling 562-2277.
Saturday will feature the city’s second annual Dickens Days Stroll of the downtown and Westfield State University as well as Fezziwig’s Holiday Faire with more than 35 area crafters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the YMCA on Court Street.