Westwood Day On The Way Next Saturday

WESTWOOD, MA - Westwood is gearing up for Westwood Day at Westwood High School on Saturday, September 25, the town's annual celebration of community pride.

Recreation Department Director Richard Adams said this is the ninth celebration of Westwood Day, a tradition that was paused last year because of the pandemic. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food can be purchased at the food court from local vendors.

"It started out in a much smaller way," he explained. "The lore is that the first year, the stage that we had the performers on was basically a flatbed trailer."

Since then, the popularity and scope of Westwood Day have increased, attracting thousands of people from Westwood and surrounding towns.

For those who can't wait to celebrate, Adams added that there will be fireworks during halftime at the Westwood High School football game on Friday, September 24.

Westwood Day festivities will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Westwood High School track at 200 Nahatan St., with a 5K run as well as a one-mile fun run for all ages at 10 a.m.

Six bands playing a variety of musical styles will entertain the crowds all afternoon on two separate stages at different ends of the food court. While one group plays, another band can set up or break down equipment.

"We have Infinnity, a rock and roll band that is a staple at these events," Adams said. "The Benchmark Band, which has performed for several years, is a group of six women who play predominantly 50s and 60s music. They are terrific."

Also scheduled are the Westwood Players and the Band Gig School of Music. The Greene O'Leary School of Irish Dance will perform. Jung's US Taekwondo will offer a demonstration.

"There's always going to be a performance going on all day, and the activity will just volley back and forth," Adams said.

There are six or seven food vendors offering a variety of tempting local cuisine, including Westwood Pizza, Orange Leaf, BiBi Cafe and Bakery, Pete's Pushcarts from Watertown.

A key feature is the vendor village, where about 90 local establishments offering goods and services can share information about themselves. He said that there are usually even more participants.

"I know that some businesses are having a hard time finding staff," he said. "I'm sure many of them will use this opportunity to jumpstart themselves. It's a really great place to go and walk through the various aisles in the parking lot."

Public service officers also are taking part, with the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department offering a K9 drug sniffing demonstration. Westwood's police department will show an attack demonstration, while the fire department will also host an activity.

Adams said that he did not believe the pandemic would affect the turnout, as the event is entirely outdoors.

"The event is really spread out," he said. "People can socially distance if that's something that concerns them. I have also been told by Westwood's Board of Health director that Westwood's vaccination rate is very high."

After the stresses of pandemic life, Adams said this will be a welcomed event to showcase local businesses and allow resident to reconnect.

"The community is looking forward to engaging in a manner that is more like what they were used to in the old days before COVID," he said. "This is certainly a good way to do that, to get out and see everyone."

In recent years, as many as 6,000 people have attended in the past, and Adams said he believes that there may be even more this time.

"It's a very popular event in town," he said. "We've been very fortunate to have good weather every year, so we're hoping this year the weather will cooperate. Everybody will have fun, and that's what it's all about."

He added that Westwood Day is funded primarily through sponsors.

"I want to give a huge thanks to the businesses sponsoring this," he said. "Our sponsors are appreciated every year, but especially after the year we just had."

Sponsors include: Prime Automotive Group, Ameresco, Needham Bank, FM Generator, Dedham Savings, Rockland Trust, Roche Bros., Fox Hill Village, Arch Orthodontics, University Station, CPR, Alltown, Dental Arts of Westwood, Mass General Brigham, GV&Y Insurance Agency, Orange Theory Fitness, Northeast Security and Westwood Minute.