WEST SPRINGFIELD — To mark the town’s year-long birthday celebration, West Springfield will host a 250th Anniversary Block Party on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, noon to 7 p.m. on the Town Common.
In collaboration with city officials and the 250th Anniversary Committee, this two-day grand bash will have have over 70 craft vendors, over 10 food vendors, activities for children, historical showcases and chances for residents to support local nonprofits and community organizations. In addition, there will be a cornhole tournament on Sunday and the Majestics will perform at the Senior Center, across the street at 128 Park St.
“This block party is something the town specifically has never run before,” said Carly Camossi, the town’s chief of operations and co-chair of the 250th Anniversary Committee. “We run all kinds of different events throughout the year regularly, but for the 250th anniversary we were really trying to find a way to elevate our celebration.”
This month’s event is part of a full year of celebrations, Camossi noted.
“Our birthday is in February, and we had a beautiful fireworks display which was a great way to kick off our 250th anniversary, but we were looking to continue the party something of a similar size, if not bigger, for the summertime,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to being able to offer the community a type of event like this that’s multifaceted.”
Camossi told Reminder Publishing that West Springfield is the crossroads of New England. There are more than 60 languages spoken in the schools. The town offers a wide variety of community events and camps in the summer.
“We have so much to offer here in West Springfield, and I think you really get that, as the city that calls itself a town,” Camossi added. “We still have the town-home feel, and that’s one of the things that I love.”
Camossi hopes this block party has a lot of smiles and a lot of fun. Her goal for the 250th Anniversary Committee is to provide as many services and programs as possible, for free, supported by donations.
“This is going to be an awesome free event for our residents,” said Camossi. “As long as they’re smiling, having a good time and getting to enjoy all the things that we worked for a year on, I’ll be happy.”
Live music includes the Story Tellers and Drop of a Hat on Saturday, and General Gist and Chalk Dust on Sunday.
Children’s programs on Saturday include Wildlife on Wheels, presented by the West Springfield Public Library and funded by the Kathleen and Walter Miller Trust, noon to 3 p.m.; face painting, noon to 7 p.m.; and the library’s Summer Reading Program table, noon to 7 p.m.
Sunday children’s programs are the Vinny Lovegroves bubble show presented by the West Springfield Public Library and funded by the Kathleen and Walter Miller Trust, noon to 3 p.m.; the PBS truck with activities and free books, while supplies last, funded by the Friends of the West Springfield Public Library, noon to 4 p.m.; Dazzleday balloon twisting, noon to 4 p.m.; face painting, noon to 7 p.m.; and the Summer Reading Program table, noon to 7 p.m.
Food vendors at the block party will include Crepes Tea House, Deano’s Concessions, Donut Dip, Jeannie’s Weenies, the Lions Club, Macken’s Sliders, North Elm Butcher Block, Partners, the Rotary Club, Saucy Mama, Sweetera & Co., Thai Chili, White Hut and others.
The vendor fair will include 175 Designs, Barb Sawyer Arts & Crafts, C&H Craft Jewelers, Cindy’s Simple Soap, Country Hangups, Distinctive Works, Ember’s Resin Art, author Keven Flanders, Gidget’s Doggie Boutique, the Happy Face Painter, Honey Bear Tea, J&T Custom Wood Creations, K-9 Author, Laura’s Unique Boutique, Lily and Ivy Shoppe, Mimi’s Blessings, Moon Jules Scents, Nailed It by Michelina, SE Crafts LLC, Signs by Lu, T-etc and more.
