Wayside Foundation's 2nd Halloween Ball Raises Funds, Frights

This article was contributed to Sudbury Patch by Janice Elizabeth Berte

SUDBURY, MA — The Wayside Inn celebrated its 2nd annual Jerusha’s Halloween Ball last night with 146 attendees dining and dancing the night away at the historic Inn. Many of the guests were from Maynard, Rhode Island, Worcester and other local communities.

The Howe family owned the Inn back in the 1700s and daughter Jerusha would play games and pranks around the site creating a playful storyline for the guests to share over the years. And, in doing so, the Wayside Foundation thought it would be amazing to celebrate her lively spirit.

Wayside’s Innkeeper, Steve Pickford said, “It is a fun night out in Sudbury for people to gather and enjoy the holiday spirit of Halloween.” The event had a tarot reader from Beyond the Gate, wine and bourbon pull, DJ and voting for creative, legendary and historic costumes. The Boston Harbor Distillery was also there to introduce there many types of liquors.

Trustee member, John Ho, said, “The Wayside Inn is one of the oldest functioning properties in the states. We wanted to have this event since it is one of the few places to have an adult Halloween party in Metro West. It is a fun event that gives people a night out to dress up and enjoy themselves.”

“Jerusha’s Ball is a treasured event for me because of the people I get to work with. As Director of Community Engagement, it is my job to plan events at The Wayside Inn that bring the community together. This ball is a prime example. The planning committee of volunteers Sara Ho, Lisa Hanson, and Jo Ann Forester, plus my co-workers Katina Fontes and Lauren Prescott, have an amazing ability to get things done efficiently and effectively, but most importantly, collaboratively. They all have a talent for cobbling together beautiful décor out of classic and repurposed items. We also had number of community partners and individuals sponsoring and donating items along the way. With the help and enthusiasm, it did not feel like hours of work – and I think a good time was had by all,” said Director and Organizer Sally Hild.

Sally would also like to thank the many people involved that made this event so special. They are: Event sponsors and community partners: Jerusha Howe Level - Anzu Partners Adam Howe Level - Ed and Gina Sottile Abiel Howe Level - The Da Frota Family; Barbara Lyons; The McKeehan Family; Viking Martial Arts; Wegmans Food Markets.

And, In-kind Donors: Berkshire Mountain Distillery, Boston Harbor Distillery, Doris & Gary Christelis, Danny’s Wine & Spirits, Pat & John Drobinski, Duck Soup, The Fagan Family, The Forester Family, The Frugal Flower, Goodnow Farms Chocolate, Sally Hild, Horizon Beverage, Sperry’s Wayland, Sudbury Wine & Spirits, The Vin Bin, and MS Walker.

Jerusha’s Halloween Ball Planning Committee & Event Volunteers: Katina Fontes, Jo Ann Forester, Lisa Hanson, Heidi Henderson, Sally Hild, Sara Ho, Lauren Prescott, Martha Reid and Lori Vahey.

The Inn is a non-profit organization that needs donations for the preservation and maintenance of the 9 historic buildings and 100 acres.