THE ADDAMS FAMILY HOUSE ON MINDOWASKIN POND
THROUGHOUT OCTOBER
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.
Sponsored by The Highland Group
HAUNT YOUR HOUSE Decorating contest: day & night
HOUSE REGISTRATION OPENS sEPTEMBER 8
community voting opens october 13
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.
Sponsored by The Mavins Group
bewitched selfie stop
NORTH AVENUE TRAIN STATION LOT
throughout october
Get into a wickedly witchy state of mind with this interactive sculpture, inspired by the original Bewitched statue in Salem, Massachusetts.
Sponsored by Erin Ben-Hayon, Realtor
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
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?
LANTERN cemetery TOURS AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WESTFIELD
SUNDAY, october 6
tours run in 10-minute intervals, 4:30-6:00
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.
CHARLES ADDAMS HERITAGE TRAIL TOUR
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
MEET AT THE CENTER FOR CREATIVITY AT THE RIALTO
250 EAST BROAD STREET
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.
OUIJA: FUN OR FEARSOME?
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2:00 pm
LIONS ROAR BREWING COMPANY
517-519 SOUTH AVENUE, WESTFIELD
Before the 1973 classic The Exorcist took everything to a whole other level, Ouija Boards (also called Talking or Witch Boards) were a common household game that at one point sold more copies than Monopoly. Talking Board Society board member Rick Schreck traces the Witch Boards’ history, sharing his personal display of Witch Boards and memorabilia.
Addams Family Fun DAY
Sunday, october 20
10:00 - 3:00
DOWNTOWN WESTFIELD
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.
Sponsored by Wonder.
Sponsored, in part, by Oceans Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry and the Union County Board of Commissioners.
Charlie’s Ale Garden
Saturday, October 26, 5:00 - 11:00
THE WESTFIELD ARMORY
500 rahway avenue
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.
ADDAMS-INSPIRED MURALS
THROUGHOUT october
CENTRAL AVENUE UNDERPASS GALLERY
Public murals breathe life, art and inspiration into their surrounding community. 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, creating an indelible mark not just on the walls of the underpass, but on Westfield’s history.
Wicked Windows of Westfield
THROUGHOUT OCTOBER
DOWNTOWN WESTFIELD
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!
Sponsored by Jean Marie Morgan, Realtor
Morticia & Gomez’s
MasQUERADE Ball
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 8:00 - 11:00
THE JAMES WARD MANSION
169 EAST BROAD STREET
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.
WORKSHOP WITH NEW YORKER CARTOONIST DAN MISDEA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2:00 - 4:00
WESTFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
550 EAST BROAD STREET
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.
BE WITCHED: CHARLES ADDAMS AND OTHER INCANTATIONS
FRI/SAT/SUN, OCTOBER 11-27
127 CENTRAL AVENUE
The witching hour lasts all weekend long at the AddamsFest Gallery this October. Be Witched explores interpretations of witches from historical, modern day, and personal perspectives. Charles Addams’ work will feature original cartoons and never-before-seen sketches featuring his own version of all things witchy. The exhibit will also showcase a variety of artists pushing the definition of what it means to Be Witched.
full moon community gathering
thursday, october 17, 7:00 pm
MINDOWASKIN PARK GAZEBO
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.
hexed: a bewitching musical revue
saturday, october 19, 8:00
sunday, october 20, 3:00
acting out theatre
439 south avenue
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.
Sponsored by Atlantic Health Medical Group Primary Care and Women's Health at Westfield
SPIRITS, WITCHES, AND THE GREAT BEYOND
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
7:00 PM
16 PROSPECT WINE BAR AND BISTRO
16 PROSPECT STREET
Communicate with the spirits at an intimate seance based upon the spiritualism movement that took place in the Victorian era drawing rooms and parlors of the late 1800s. Our seance will have you questioning reality and contemplating the ability to communicate with the great beyond. Only you will decide what is real and what is just a witch's ghost story.
