Enthusiam Runs High At Westwood Day On Saturday

WESTWOOD, MA - Not even the initial threat of rain could dampen the spirts of thousands of enthusiastic visitors to Westwood Day, held Saturday at Westwood High School.

As if on cue, the sun burst through the clouds at the beginning of the 5K run at 9 a.m., kicking off a day of cheer and camaraderie as people celebrated the first major public town event since the dawn of COVID-19.

Race organizer Daniel MacDonald, a member of the Westwood Gentlemen's Running Club, said that about 250 children and 150 adults participated in the races. It was a friendly competition which mainly drew families for both the 5K and the fun run.

"About 10 years ago I heard that they were thinking of bringing the race back after decades of it not going on," he said. "So the club members and I come out every year, and we're spread out all along the route."

Westwood resident Samia Richie ran in the race, along with her husband and two sons.

"This is a really nice family event for us," said Richie, noting that it was the first race in which the entire family participated together. "There's a nice sense of community."

After the races, the participants sprinted over to the other side of the high school, which was transformed into a festival. Food vendors offering an array of cuisine enticed the crowd as they enjoyed concerts on two separate stages at either end of the field. There was music for every generation, from Nirvana to Johnny Cash to rock and roll.

Band Gig School of Music and Performance, located near the event site in Dedham as well as in Norwood, provided live performances as well as recorded music to keep people pumped up. Owner and instructor Nick Vecchio said he was excited for his students to perform before the local crowd.
In addition to private lessons on several instruments and voice, there is a program starting up there next month where young people can participate in a 17-week "join a band program."

Those who didn't want to run the length of the campus were transported by a trolley, to the delight of the children.

An array of blue and white tents dotted the field, offering people a chance to learn more about community organizations, businesses and activities. Friends embraced, some seeing each other in person for the first time since the pandemic began.

More than 90 organizations took part, with interests ranging from political and community service to music and dance.

State Rep. Paul McMurtry toured the event with U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch, who came to town from the nation's capital for the weekend.

"Congressman Lynch is no stranger to this district," McMurtry said as he commented on the great community response to Westwood Day.

"It's nice to be home and to get out of Washington, even for two days," added Lynch with a smile.

School Committee Chairperson Maya Plotkin stood before whiteboards with renderings for the proposed new Hanlon-Deerfield Elementary School. She stressed the importance of residents coming out to vote for the upcoming Special Town Meeting on Monday, October 18 on a debt exclusion override that will allow for the school's construction behind the current Hanlon site. It will be held at Flahive Field at 5 p.m. at the high school.

"People really need to come out and vote to show their support for the new building," she said, which will be funded by a debt exclusion over 30 years. She noted that many people in town believe that the project already has been approved. However, it needs a positive vote of two-thirds of Town Meeting members to succeed.

If it passes, she added that there will be a special election on Tuesday, October 26, where a majority of voters will be needed for the new building to come to reality after three years of planning and community meetings.

For more information about the proposed school building, click this link.

Anne Innis from the Westwood Cultural Council said she hoped to engage residents at Westwood Day and let them know availability of grant money to provide cultural opportunities in town.

"This is our first time at Westwood Day," she said. "We wanted to spread the word about the Cultural Council. We have funding available this year, and applications are due October 15."

For more information, click here.

Katie Tran, the president of Cancer Kids First Westwood and a sophomore at Westwood High, talked about the group's goal of helping pediatric cancer patients. The organization provides toys, cards, books and care packages while inspiring those affected by cancer to persevere. They held a raffle to raise money to purchase items.

"Our goals for our chapter are to help normalize the hospital environment as we strive to benefit the lives of as many patients as we can," she said.

Mandy Taft-Pearman spoke about Inclusive Westwood, a group of parents and citizens who are passionate about making Westwood a safe, equitable and inclusive community for all its residents.

"The main reason we're out here is to forward our mission about what kind of town we want Westwood to be," she said.

Artist Jane Wojick is one of the founding members of Westwood Artists. She came to display and sell her pottery, a craft she has honed over two decades.

"I was really bad in the beginning," she joked. "But I just kept at it because I love it. Eventually you have too much stuff and you have to sell it."