The annual Dickens Days downtown stroll is scheduled all day Saturday.
View full sizeThe Westfield High School Choir sang classic Christmas songs and Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children during Westfield's Christmas Tree Lighting and Dickens Days Lanternlight parade on Monday night.WESTFIELD – Several hundred residents took advantage of Monday night’s mild weather to participate in the city's annual holiday tree lighting and 8th annual Dickens Days Lanternlight parade.
They were downtown, at the corner of Broad and Court streets. It was the second year the kick-off of holiday downtown activities was held across from Park Square Green. But an announcement from Mayor Daniel M. Knapik that the event would return to the green in 2012 drew loud cheers. Rehabilitation of Park Square Green is part of a $14.5 million reconstruction of the immediate downtown, a federal stimulus-financed project.
Many were there to see the tree lights and Dickens characters and many were there to see Santa, who set up shop in nearby Westfield Athenaeum following the lighting ceremony.
“We came to see the Christmas tree lights,” said Tyler J. Whalen, 4. “We will see Santa at Amelia Park later,” he added.
“It is just great that they actually do this every year,” said mother Heidi M. Whalen. “This is a lot of fun for kids.”
Susan L. Kopy was there because daughter Bekka Dowland, a member of the Westfield High School choir, was a part of the entertainment.
“A lot of work is going into the green and it will be very nice when it is completed,” said Kopy.
“We are here to see the tree lights and Santa,” said Vivian G. Walker, 5, who attended with her father, Robert Walker.
Sporting Santa hats, cousins Stella and Oliver, ages 7 months and 3 respectively, and Noah and Jake Galas, ages 6 and 4, made it clear they came to see Santa.
“I got my hair cut first,” explained Oliver. Everyone yelled "Santa!" when asked why they were there.
Monday’s tree lighting and parade was the second of 40 Dickens Days events during the next 30 days, explained Robert A. Plasse, president of Westfield on Weekends.
Dressed as the Spirit of Christmas Present, Plasse noted “The weather is cooperating tonight. It matches the warmth of our city and the heart of a small downtown.
“This could easily be a prelude to a future celebration because the Great River Bridge is opening this week and the revitalization of our downtown is proceeding as scheduled,” he said.
Lisa G. McMahon, director of Westfield Business Improvement District, said the tree lighting “officially kicks off our Dickens Days celebration that is designed to bring people to Westfield center.
“The Dickens characters will be here in costume again Saturday for the holiday stroll and our Olde English Breakfast that will be a feature at downtown eateries throughout the day,” she said.
“This season also marks a special focus on our downtown businesses that will now be open each Thursday night of the shopping season until 8 p.m.
Dickens Days is sponsored by WOW, WBID, Westfield State University and the city. A schedule of events is available at Westfield Athenaeum and online at www.thedistrictwestfield.com or www.westfieldonweekends.com.