Development and Event Coordinator Nikki Cornelius in the Beveridge Pavilion, which will be site of the annual fundraiser on Sept. 13.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD — The public is invited to Stanley Park’s annual fundraiser, “Ivory Keys & Melodies” on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m. in the Beveridge Pavilion.
The annual fundraising events helps sustain the park’s natural beauty, facilities and free public programs, according to Development and Event Coordinator Nikki Cornelius.
The evening will feature a grazing table, buffet dinner, desserts and a cash bar of beer, wine, seltzer and hard cider by Tansey’s Catered Table, and entertainment from Howl2Go Dueling Pianos, a high energy interactive performance, where pianists will battle it out with a healthy dose of humour.
Cornelius said Howl at the Moon has a piano bar on High Street in Boston and in other cities around the country, and will bring two electric grand pianos to the stage of the Beveridge Pavilion for the Howl2Go Dueling Pianos show.
The dinner, which is business casual, and show will take place at tables under the pavilion, with no lawn seating. There is a backup location in case of extreme weather at Westfield State University. Tickets, which are $75 with a table of 8 for $600, are going fast and will be on sale until Aug. 29.
Also returning will be the online auction and raffle, in which people may participate without attending the event. Cornelius said they have 130 items to date, but are still taking donations until Aug. 29. “Gift baskets, gift cards, services, experiences and unique items are all greatly appreciated. Your contribution directly supports the preservation and programming of our beloved park,” she said.
Cornelius said most of the raffle items will be $1, but mentioned two specially-priced raffles, the first is a $20 ticket to win a catered dinner for four by a private chef at the top of the Carillon Tower, only the second time the dinner has been offered. The carillon just celebrated the 75th anniversary of its dedication on June 4, 1950.
Also, $25 is the enter-to-win price for a week’s stay in Plymouth in the Sea Glass Cottage next Labor Day, Sept. 5-12, 2026. Among the auction items are an hour-long scenic plane ride for three from Westfield Barnes Airport, Cornelius said.
The auction and raffle preview begins on Monday, Sept. 8. Bidding for the auction and entries for raffle items begin on Thursday, Sept. 11 and ends on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m.
Cornelius said the fundraising goal for Ivory Keys & Melodies is $75,000 in honor of the 75th anniversary of Stanley Park. Money raised will be for the preservation for the park, wherever it is most needed.
Stanley Park consists of nearly 300+ acres of trails, woods, picnic areas, recreational facilities and gardens, which include the Rose & Flower Garden, Asian Garden, a Rhododendron Display Garden, The Arboretum, Herb Garden and Woodland Wildflower Garden. There is the Frank Stanley Beveridge Wildlife Sanctuary, the Carillon Tower, and a Duck Pond with a colonial-era village that includes an orchard, mill and waterwheel, an old town meeting house, covered bridge, carriage shed, blacksmith shop and arched bridges all with a backdrop of flowering azaleas and rhododendron.
The park is privately owned, and does not receive any federal, state or city funding, but receives funds through the generosity of The Beveridge Family Foundation, grants, sponsors, private donors and fundraising events. To learn more about supporting Stanley Park call 413-568-9312, ext. 112 or 108.
