Town-Wide Festival Honoring Westfield’s Charles Addams Celebrates its Seventh Year with Be Witched Theme

WESTFIELD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 – It’s back! AddamsFest will return to Westfield for its seventh consecutive October as the destination event of the season. 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, two Addams Family animated movies, and the highly successful 2022 Wednesday series on Netflix. What better place to honor Addams’ talent and creativity than the town where he grew up?

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This year’s AddamsFest theme is Be Witched, celebrating historical and contemporary enchanters, sorcerers, magicians and other magical marvels. In addition to the return of several festival favorites, this year’s schedule examines the impact of witch trials in the late 1600s, debunks misconceptions about modern day witchcraft, and more. 

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“As AddamsFest evolves, we have begun introducing guiding themes to weave through the festival in order to provide new and evolving content. Last year’s theme, Wild: Curious Creatures, paired the works of Charles Addams and Edward Gorey, and inspired participating artists to think more creatively, which was clearly reflected in the Wicked Windows,” said Councilwoman Dawn Mackey, Chairperson of AddamsFest. “This year’s theme of Be Witched presents a broad swath of possibilities, from the historic themes of scapegoats to the myriad of ways that witches have manifested beyond history to pop culture. I am excited to see where this theme takes us!”

Mark your calendars for a variety of events to be held throughout October! 

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Sights to See​

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​The Wicked Windows of Westfield

Throughout October 

Downtown Westfield 

Sponsored by Jean Marie Morgan, Realtor

The Wicked Windows of Westfield transforms Downtown Westfield’s storefronts into delightful Halloween displays. Look for some of Charles Addams’ favorite characters peering out from the windows, as well as spooky decorations on the street lamps and special appearances by the Addams Family themselves!​​

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Haunt Your House Contest: Day and Night

Registration Opens September 8 for the First 25 Daytime Entries and 25 Night Entries

Community Voting Opens October 13

Throughout Westfield 

Sponsored by The Mavins Group

The competition gets stiffer every year. Westfield residents can sign up to enter one of two contests – one for daytime haunts, and one for haunts by night. Community members will tour the routes and vote for their favorites using an online map of participating homes from October 13 through October 30. Registration opens (and fills up quickly) on Sunday, September 8, at 7:00 PM, for the first 25 houses to enroll in each category.

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Be Witched Selfie Stop

East Broad Street by the Center for Creativity at the Rialto

Sponsored by Erin Ben-Hayon, Realtor

Get into a wickedly witchy state of mind with this interactive sculpture, inspired by the original Bewitched statue in Salem, Massachusetts.

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The Addams Family House on Mindowaskin Pond

Early October 

385 East Broad Street ​

Sponsored by The Highland Group

Be sure to take a photo of the floating Addams Family house on Mindowaskin Pond. Playing off a beloved Westfield tradition, this Halloween house is a nod to the replica of the Presbyterian Church that signals the holiday season in December. 

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Addams-Inspired Murals

Central Avenue Underpass

Ongoing

The Westfield Public Arts Commission unveiled the Central Avenue Mural Gallery in October, 2021. These murals showcase the work of local artists on both sides of the underpass on Central Avenue, providing a bright and colorful backdrop to revive and reimagine this public space. One entire span of the underpass features the theme Inspired by Addams.

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Release Your Inner Addams 

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Morticia & Gomez’s Masquerade Ball 

Friday, October 4, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

James Ward Mansion

Advance ticket purchase required

Prepare to be transported to an eccentric world of mischief and macabre. Join Morticia & Gomez Addams in high style to feast on Addams-inspired gourmet fare, sip smoldering libations, and dance the night away in an interactive setting. Perhaps the most elegantly odd event of AddamsFest, guests should dress to kill – or at least to maim.

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Charlie’s Ale Garden 

Saturday, October 26, 5:00 - 11:00 PM

The Westfield Armory

500 Rahway Avenue, Westfield

Advance ticket purchase required

It wouldn’t be AddamsFest without Charlie’s Ale Garden at the Armory. Enjoy fantastic entertainment, including a great line-up of local bands and headliner Twisted Charm. The most in-demand event of the season will once again feature beer and wine poured by Harvest Restaurant Group and food for purchase from a variety of food trucks.​

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Charlie’s Curiosities

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Before Salem: The Botched Execution of Half-Hanged Mary

With author Codie Crowley 

Saturday, October 5, 2:00 PM

16 Prospect Wine Bar and Bistro

16 Prospect Street

Advance registration required

For adults and teens ages 14 and up

Author Codie Crowley presents the true story of "Half-Hanged" Mary Webster, a woman accused of witchcraft in 1685. When the man who accused Mary suffered a mysterious death, the villagers tried to hang her – but she survived. How does Mary's incredible life and near-death connect to the witchcraft hysteria that would follow in Salem?

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Cartooning Workshop with New Yorker Cartoonist Dan Misdea

Sunday, October 6

2:00 - 4:00 PM

Westfield Memorial Library

550 East Broad Street

Advance registration required

For adults and teens ages 14 and up

Get a master class in single panel cartooning with New Yorker Cartoonist Dan Misdea. The workshop will include a brief history of the form, tricks on how to find ideas, drawing exercises, and interactive prompts. Tickets are free, although advance reservations are highly recommended on the Westfield Memorial Library website.

Lantern Cemetery Tours at the Presbyterian Church of Westfield

140 Mountain Avenue

Sunday, October 6, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM, running every ten minutes

Rain date: October 13 (Check AddamsFest social media for updates)

No tickets or registration required; first come, first served.

While other kids his age were out frolicking with friends, a young Charles Addams spent his time hanging out in Westfield's oldest cemetery (of course he did). Take a lantern tour of these historic grounds, hosted by The Presbyterian Church of Westfield. 

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Charles Addams Heritage Trail Tour 

Sunday, October 13, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Meet in front of the Center for Creativity at the Rialto

250 East Broad Street

Advance registration required

Charles Addams was just like any other kid who grew up in Westfield in the early 1900s…except when he wasn’t. Step back in time to see the sights of Westfield circa 1920 as you retrace Addams’ steps from his home to school, downtown, and even to the cemetery where he spent his lazy afternoons (we TOLD you he wasn’t exactly like the other kids!).   

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Full Moon Community Gathering

Thursday, October 17, 5:00 PM

Outdoor location TBA

Rain location: Westfield Memorial Library, 550 East Broad Street

No tickets or registration required

Celebrate community and connection under the Full Moon with Westfield’s “Good Witch” Tammy Spiewak, of Tammy Spiewak, Somatic Healing and Wellness. The full moon represents a moment of culmination - a time to bring our manifestations to completion, celebrate the end of a journey, or to let something go. Tammy will lead a meditative practice that makes space for all of our intentions to come to fruition. 

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Fun for the Wednesdays and Pugsleys in All of Us​

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Hexed: A Bewitching Musical Revue

Saturday, October 19, 8:00 PM

Sunday, October 20, 3:00 PM

Acting Out Theatre

439 South Avenue, Westfield

Advance ticket purchase required

Sponsored by Atlantic Health Medical Group Primary Care and Women's Health at Westfield

Elphaba and Glinda take you on a musical tour of famous witches with appearances by Hermione Granger, The Little Mermaid’s Ursula, the amazing Sanderson Sisters of Hocus Pocus fame, and more – all performing for you! It’ll be a HEXED of a good time! All ages welcome. 

Addams Family Fun Day

Sunday, October 20, 10:00 AM –  3:00 PM 

Downtown Westfield 

No tickets or registration required

Presented by Atlantic Health Medical Group Primary Care and Women's Health at Westfield
Sponsored by Wonder
Sponsored, in part, by Oceans Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry and The Union County Board of Commissioners

From Pugsley to Grandmama, there's something fun for everyone at Addams Family Fun Day. Head on over to Quimby Street in Downtown Westfield, which will be closed to cars for a day of family fun -- including Addams Family character visits, live performances, incredible displays by the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, bubble demonstrations, pumpkin decorating, activities with local merchants, and more.

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Pumpkin Painting with the Doctors

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Atlantic Health Medical Group Primary Care

142 Central  Avenue

Join the Addams Family and the team from Atlantic Health Medical Group Primary Care and Women's Health at Westfield for a morning of pumpkin carving, crafts, and a chance to play a life-sized game of Operation!

The Maniac Pumpkin Carvers

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Quimby Street

Don't miss the return of the incomparable Maniac Pumpkin Carvers -- creating stunning and unique custom pumpkin carvings that have been featured on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon and displayed at MoMA and Yankee Stadium! Always a crowd pleaser, the Maniacs will bring their artistry back to AddamsFest to create new masterpieces before your very eyes.

The Witches of Westfield Costume Contest

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Show us your wickedly wondrous witchy attire at our new Witch Costume Contest! Adult, children, and pets can all win prizes for:

• Wickedest Witch/Warlock

• Best Good Witch

• Witchiest Group

• Witchiest Pet

The Atlantic Health Youth Stage 

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

Quimby Street

10:00 - 11:00 Sensory Sensitive Performance

11:00 - 3:00 Local Youth Bands

Westfield area's talented youth bands will rock all day on the Atlantic Health Youth Stage.

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Ticket & Registration Information

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Following are initial ticket and registration dates:

• Sunday, September 8, 7:00 PM: Registration opens for Haunt Your House (limited to 25 entries in each category).

• Monday, September 9, 7:00 PM: Tickets go on sale for Morticia & Gomez’s Masquerade Ball.

• Wednesday, September 18, 7:00 PM: First round of Charlie’s Ale Garden tickets go on sale for Westfield residents (ages 21+).

• Wednesday, September 25, 7:00 PM: Second round of Charlie’s Ale Garden tickets go on sale (open to all, ages 21+).

Tickets for all remaining events are expected to be released beginning in mid-September.

Further details about this year’s line-up, as well as community partner events and additional surprises, will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned as the altogether ooky events continue to unfold on the AddamsFest website (www.addamsfest.com) and social media channels (@addamsfest on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok). For more information on sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please email info@addamsfest.com.

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AddamsFest is a town-wide celebration, honoring Westfield native Charles Addams and his penchant for the macabre. This destination event of the season will take place throughout October and includes family-friendly events, lectures, exhibits, and more. ​

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For more information, visit www.addamsfest.com, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (@addamsfest).