Westfield's AddamsFest Expands, Sets Schedule For 2019

WESTFIELD, NJ – The second annual festival honoring Westfield’s native Charles Addams is coming back for a second year. And it is going to grow.

Following the success of its inaugural year, with over 12,000 attendees from 85 towns, AddamsFest will return to Westfield this October. Once again, the Town will be transformed by this uniquely exciting celebration honoring its own Charles Addams and his penchant for the macabre with a wide variety of events.

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Born in 1912 and raised in Westfield, Charles Addams was one of the country’s premier
cartoonists, with his work prominently featured in The New Yorker. His most successful
creation, The Addams Family, was inspired by his hometown surroundings. The characters that began as illustrations grew into a television series, a live action movie franchise, a Broadway musical, and a highly anticipated Addams Family animated movie scheduled to hit theaters on Oct. 11.

“The community is so excited for the return of AddamsFest, and we’re thrilled to bring it back,” said Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle. “Our inaugural year represented the very best of Westfield -- from celebrating one of our own historic icons as a community, to the enthusiastic participation of over 300 volunteers, to the collaboration between the police, fire, DPW professionals and the unpaid volunteers. Ultimately, the connectedness that the festival created among our residents was one of our town’s key highlights of 2018.”

Mark your calendars and save the dates for these marquee events, back by popular demand:

• Morticia & Gomez’s Masquerade Ball: Saturday, October 19. After walking the purple carpet in high style, masked guests will join hosts Morticia and Gomez to feast on Addams-inspired gourmet fare, sip smoldering libations, and dance the night away in an interactive setting that includes the tango with Morticia & Gomez, the mamushka with Fester, tarot card readings, and more.
• The Addams Family Fun Zone: Sunday, October 20. Families will get ooky and spooky on Quimby Street as they take in a variety of activities, including character visits, street performers, incredible displays by the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, and the return of the Howl-o-Ween Dog Costume Contest.
• Charlie’s Ale Garden: Saturday, October 26. This year, there’s room for even more friends and neighbors to enjoy a variety of beers and wine, as well as food from local restaurants, as the Westfield Armory is transformed into an indoor/outdoor beer garden with live music.
• Halloween Festivities: Sunday, October 27. Put the kids in their costumes and celebrate Halloween, AddamsFest-style! Join the beloved tradition of The Westfield Optimist Club’s Halloween Parade and The Downtown Westfield Corporation’s Costume Contest, which will distribute prizes for a variety of Halloween and Charles Addams themed categories. Afterwards, the South Avenue train station becomes Trick-or-Treating Central with the Second Annual Pugsley’s Trunk or Treat. Calling all creative minds to register their cars, decorate them with an original theme, and distribute candy from their trunks for thousands of eager trick-or-treaters.

Dates and details for other returning events spanning the month of October will be announced this summer, including a newly envisioned art exhibit that combines original works of Addams alongside local student art influenced by his style. In addition, Morticia’s Movies, Lurch’s Lecture Series, and Paranormal Investigations will return, along with the Haunt Your House Contest and the Wicked Windows of Westfield displays throughout the downtown.

New to this year’s festivities will be Gomez’s Dynamite Model Railway, which will celebrate Gomez’s well-known love of model trains. Exhibitions on display will be from both The Model Railroad Club of Union County and the Gersten family, whose model railroad layout was built to represent major Westfield landmarks, past and present. This memorable exhibit for train lovers of all ages will be on display in the Town Hall Community Room from October 17-26.

“This year’s AddamsFest gives us the benefit of experience paired with the community’s
enthusiasm and anticipation,” said Councilwoman Dawn Mackey, AddamsFest Chairperson.
“Distributing the various events over a longer time period provides attendees with more opportunity to enjoy the festivities and get involved in this Westfield experience for the entire month of October.”

Additional information will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned as the all-together ooky events continue to unfold on the event’s website (www.addamsfest.com) and social media channels (@addamsfest on Facebook and Instagram).

For more information on sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, email info@addamsfest.com.

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