Mayor Mike McCabe, Bob Plasse of Westfield on Weekends and the Show Choir count down to the lighting on the tree on the Elm Street Plaza.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD — Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe and Bob Plasse, president of Westfield on Weekends, counted down the lighting of the 20-foot tree on the Elm Street Plaza on Nov. 29 to bring in the holiday season.
Entertaining the crowd of approximately 500, according to emcee Jay Pagluica, were Director Patrick Kennedy and members from the Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy bands, and Director Korey Bruno and the Westfield High School Show Choir. Pagluica, who was in charge of sound, also projected the giant snowflakes onto the side of the building at the plaza.
Councilors Mike Burns and Bill Onyski, and Westfield on Weekend’s Lisa Sunderland Burns, were also enjoying the festivities. Lisa reminded everyone that the last day to enter the WOW Tree Jubilee Raffle is Dec. 3, at westfieldonweekends.com.
The many children in the crowd were delighted by characters from Toy Story, Frosty the Snowman, and the Grinch as they awaited the arrival of Santa and Mrs.Claus, lining up to tell them their wishes for the holidays.
In an on-site interview for Westfield Community TV with Harry Rock, McCabe thanked Westfield G&E, Westfield on Weekends, the DPW for getting the Elm Street Plaza in such great shape, and the Westfield Fire Department for escorting Santa and Mrs. Claus to the event. “It’s terrific,” he said.
“There’s nothing that makes me feel better than to see so many smiles on children’s faces. There are so many here tonight for this annual tradition, I can’t help but say I live in a great place,” said Plasse.
Westfield Schools Winter Concerts schedule
- Dec. 16 — Westfield High School bands winter concert — 7 p.m.
- Dec. 18 — Westfield High School Choirs — 6:30 p.m.
- Feb. 11 — Westfield Technical Academy Band winter concert — 7 p.m.
- Elementary School concerts held during the school day
- Dec. 12 — Southampton Road School winter concert
- Dec. 17 — Highland Elementary winter concert for pre-k and kindergarten only
- Dec. 18 — Highland Elementary students winter concert
- Dec. 18 — Paper Mill Elementary winter concert
- Dec. 18 — Munger Hill Elementary — winter concert for pre-K only
- Dec. 19 — Munger Hill Elementary students winter concert
