Westfield On Weekends is hosting its eighth annual PumpkinFest on Saturday, Oct. 18. This photo is from last year.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WESTFIELD — To usher in the cooler weather, the changing leaves, and, of course, Halloween, on Oct. 18, Westfield On Weekends will host its eighth annual PumpkinFest, which has quickly become one of the region’s must-go events for the fall and it features all things pumpkiny.
“We are once again pleased to produce the quintessential harvest festival,” said WOW President Bob Plasse. “Representing the collaboration of many organizations and business and the kindness of numerous volunteers, PumpkinFest has become a city tradition attracting thousands of visitors to Westfield each year.”
The day-long event is played out on the athletic fields behind Amelia Park off S. Broad Street between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 18, rain or shine and there is something for everyone to enjoy, especially if interested in seeing or creating wild, wacky, funny, or scary pumpkins being carved.
Held at the Pumpkin Carving Tent, 1,500 pumpkins of all sizes and shapes will be waiting for the knives — plastic of course — for children and their families to have some messy, but clean, fun with the “gutted” pumpkins.
“Close to 1,500 pumpkins will be available while supplies last,” Plasse said, while offering thanks for the efforts of Scouting America Troops 821 and 124, who will gut and guard the pumpkins, and to the staff of the Boys and Girls Club who will manage the booth during the day.”
Once pumpkins are carved and/or decorated, they may be placed in the Pumpkin Patch around a giant pumpkin sculpture, created by Westfield metal artist Sebastian Glebocki, while participants enjoy the other PumpkinFest activities, of which there are plenty.
Children’s games and activities will be provided by more than 35 community organizations participating this year.
Children and their families can also show off their Halloween costumes at All-Stars Dance Center’s Trunk or Treat where harvest treats will be handed out, while supplies last, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., from the trunks of more than 20 cars and truck decorated for the season.
Also starting at 11 a.m., will be Westfield Gas & Electric’s annual Big Rig Rally that provides youngsters with the opportunity to touch a truck or service vehicle and meet the men and women who drive them.
This year’s event includes “big rigs” from many organizations, including Westfield Fire and Police Departments, WG&E; the 104th Fighter Wing from Barnes National Guard Base, and the Westfield Aviation Museum.
The vendor marketplace will host more than 40 artisans, crafters and vendors with a wide variety of merchandise.
Plasse said the vendors will be offering items like textiles, fine art prints, crocheted items, resin tumblers and wine glasses, stuffed animals, jewelry, hand-blown glass, paperweights and Black Squirrel merchandise.
The Main Stage will feature performances by the Westfield High School Show Choir directed by Korey Bruno at noon; the Westfield High School Pep Band, directed by Patrick Kennedy and Westfield High School’s School of Rock Club at12:45 p.m.; the All-Stars Dance Center, directed by Kim Starsiak at 2:15pm; and the YMCA Sword Fit team.
Other performers will include Maggie the Clown, who will fashion balloon hats and animals; the giant puppets of Anne Cubberly; and several costumed characters including more than 10 characters from the animated features “Toy Story 1” and “Toy Story 2,” who will emerge from a unique PumpkinFest Toy Box.
Harvest food will be provided by All-Purpose Bakery; Angelo’s Fried Dough; Crave Café; Northside Creamery; North Elm Butcher Block; Poco Riso; Sweet Memories; and Vlad’s Brick-Oven Pizza; Haunted Houses Drive-by Tour.
In conjunction with PumpkinFest, WOW will also present its sixth drive-by tour of Haunted Houses from Oct. 15 through Halloween. Residences will be shown and listed on an interactive map at westfieldonweekends.com and on WOW’s Facebook page. Folks may sign up by submitting their address on Facebook or through the WOW website.
Funders and Supporters
Funding for the events of PumpkinFest 2025 has been provided by its major sponsors: Westfield Gas & Electric/Whip City Fiber; bankESB; M & T Bank; Westfield Bank; Baystate Health and Baystate Noble Hospital; Health New England; Firtion-Adams Funeral Services; Lisa Oleksak Sullivan of Coldwell Banker Realty; Behavioral Health Network; the Queenin Family: and the city of Westfield.
Funding has also been provided with grants from the Westfield Cultural Council; the Massachusetts Cultural Council; and Shurtleff Children’s Services Inc.
In-kind assistance is being provided by Jerome’s Party Plus; Walmart, the City of Westfield; Mayor Michael McCabe’s Office, the Police Department, the Auxiliary Police, the Health Department, the License Commission, the Parks and Recreation Department, Westfield Public Schools, the Department of Public Works and other area businesses and organizations.
PumpkinFest 2025 is produced by WOW with generous community volunteers and community partners including the city of Westfield; Greater Westfield Boys and Girls Club; All-Stars Dance Center; Scouting America; St. Mary’s High School and WG&E/Whip City Fiber.
For more information, visit westfieldonweekends.com and WOW’s Facebook page.
