westfield events Archives - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Quimby Street Activities Start Up Again in Downtown Westfield

April 30, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Last summer, City officials tried something new. They restricted vehicular traffic on Quimby Street to just one way on the weekends. They hoped to encourage more people to get outside and enjoy the fresh air in a safe manner. Then, they lifted the vehicular restrictions during the winter months. But, starting today (April 30th), Quimby Street activities are back.

Quimby Street Activities

COVID-19 made many businesses rethink how to make their customers feel safe while also keeping their doors open. City officials understood the pressure our local businesses felt. To help make things a little easier, they created the Quimby Street pedestrian plaza. Thankfully, Quimby Street activities start back up today for the public to enjoy.

Expanded Outdoor Dining

As of the writing of this post, indoor dining is still limited. However, your favorite restaurants still offer a “to go” option. If you want that “date night” experience without worrying about finding seating inside, several tents have been set up on Quimby Street. Bring your take-out to one of the tables set up under the tents and enjoy your meal. The tents sit just outside The Brick Oven, Fiamma Pizza, and Spice Bazaar. With limited seating here, you might need to make a reservation for one of the tables at one of these restaurants.

Live Musical Entertainment

Enjoy live music from talented local artists every Friday and Saturday throughout the season. If you make it downtown on a Tuesday evening during July or August, you will be treated to the Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival. Musicians perform live every Tuesday throughout July and August on three separate stages. These stages are located on Central Ave, in Foundation Park, and right here on Quimby Street. The entertainment is free but the memories are priceless.

Fitness Fun on Quimby

Other Quimby Street activities encourage a healthier lifestyle as the weather warms up. Register for a yoga or barre class held right out on the street every Saturday and Sunday. You must pre-register to participate in the class.

Midday Madness Clue Hunt

Finally, the Midday Madness Clue Hunt takes place on the first weekend Quimby Street opens up (Saturday, May 1st). If you want to participate, visit their website to purchase your tickets right now. This is fun that the whole family can enjoy together.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Earth Day Fair 2021: Celebrating Sustainability

April 16, 2021 by Scott Gleason

The very first Earth Day celebration took place in Wisconsin back in April of 1970. The goal was to bring awareness to the environment and the part we play in affecting it. The City of Westfield encourages its residents to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle with their Westfield Earth Day Fair 2021.

What: Westfield Earth Day Fair 2021
Where: Parking Lot of the South Ave Train Station
When: Saturday, April 24th, 9:30 am to 3 pm
Contact: City of Westfield (908) 789-4040

Westfield Earth Day Fair 2021

The Westfield Green Team put together some very important information they wish to share at the fair. Learn about the “how’s”, “what’s” and “why’s” of recycling. (You might be surprised at what you thought was recyclable but really is not.) Find out how to identify the spotted lanternfly (an invasive pest that kills off our local flora) and how to stop it. Receive important information on bicycle safety. Hear all about the City’s free biowaste program. Several organizations and vendors will be on-site as well providing information and products to help you reduce your carbon footprint. Also, sign up for the Green Team’s newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest information about eco-friendly lifestyles.

Free Market

They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. When you clean out your closets this weekend, set aside your gently used clothing, cookware, utensils, sporting goods, books, videos, toys, etc. Then, bring them with you to the Earth Day Fair. Everything you donate goes to the free market. Visitors to the fair then go through all of the items dropped off to see if they could use any of them for themselves. Think of it as a big garage sale but where everything is free of charge. Anything left over at the end of the day will then be taken and distributed to families in need in the Westfield area. Just make sure you schedule your time to drop your donations off. Otherwise, you might not be able to do so.

Everyone must adhere to social distancing guidelines. You must also wear your mask while at the South Ave Train Station. Hand sanitizing stations will be set up all around the area.

Midday Madness Clue Hunt

Don’t forget. The Midday Madness Clue Hunt returns to Downtown Westfield on Saturday, May 1st. Tickets are still available for this fun, family-friendly day of puzzle solving.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Glo Downtown Illuminates Westfield in March

February 26, 2021 by Scott Gleason

We tend to focus more on math and sciences when it comes to education. Sometimes, we forget how important art is to a child’s development. It also enhances everybody’s life overall. Art exists to trigger a response. So, when art sparks a fond childhood memory, you know your day is only going to get better. Glo Downtown wants to be that spark when they illuminate downtown Westfield throughout March.

Relive some of your fondest childhood memories. From March 5th to the 21st, Glo Downtown illuminates downtown Westfield with 15 jumbo seesaws that light up and make sound when in use at the North Ave Train Station.

What: Glo Downtown
Where: North Ave Train Station
When: March 5th to 21st, 9 am to 9 pm
Admission: FREE
Contact: Downtown Westfield Corp (908) 789-9444 or via email

Impulse Seesaw Origins

The brainchild of two Harvard alumni, Impulse seesaws invites public interaction that harkens back to the childhood days on the playground. A series of 15 huge seesaws inhabit the North Ave Train Station. Each seesaw accommodates up to 4 people (two on each end). Once aboard, the up and down motion lights up the seesaw and creates sound.

Over the past several years, this public art installation has traveled the world over. It started in Montreal and then moved across the pond to England before moving on to Australia. Eventually, it made its way back to the US with stops in major cities like New York City, Boston, Detroit, and Scottsdale.

Glo Downtown Westfield

Maintain your social distance while still enjoying the outdoors at Glo Downtown Westfield. Be a part of the opening ceremony on Thursday, March 4th at 5:30 pm. But, if you cannot make it for that, come back anytime between 9 am and 9 pm from the 5th to the 21st. Other activities centered around the seesaws throughout the month include a chocolate tour each weekend and a pizza challenge on the 13th and 14th. Sign up for professional photos taken at this public art installation. Several downtown shops and restaurants offer special deals throughout Glo’s duration as well. Downtown Westfield just got even more interesting.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Holiday Light Contest 2020

December 4, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Westfield hosts their annual Westfield Holiday Light Contest starting next weekend. Sign up today! Registration deadline is Dec. 9th.

Register today to participate in the Westfield Holiday Light Contest for 2020. Winners in each category receive a $75 shopping voucher.

What: Westfield Holiday Light Contest 2020
Where: All Westfield Neighborhoods
When: December 12th to 19th, after dusk
Registration Deadline: December 9th
Contact: Tow n of Westfield (908) 789-4040

Westfield Holiday Light Contest 2020

Does your family go all out with their holiday decorations each year? Let’s end 2020 on a high note by showing off your Westfield home’s best Christmas look. The contest is open for free to all residents. Simply visit the Westfield Recreation Department website to register. Registration closes at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, December 9th. Once you finish decorating, email a photo of your home to Lauren with the Town of Westfield. Entries must be received by 4 pm on December 11th. You choose which category you wish to compete in.

The public decides the winner of this contest. Each Westfield home in the contest receives a yard sign that includes their category. Residents go online to vote for their favorites. Only one vote allowed in each category. Lights and animations must go live by dusk between December 12th and December 20th to allow for judging to take place. Winners will be announced on December 22nd. The winner in each category receives a $75 voucher to shop at one of our downtown businesses. Good luck!

Award Categories:

Be the Light (most use of lights, including motion lights and music)
Deck the Halls (traditional white lights only display)
Hanukkah Lights (lights and inflatables allowed)
It’s a Wonderful Life (businesses only)
North Pole (most creative lawn display with inflatables and characters)

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Y’s Men’s Christmas Tree Lot 2020

November 27, 2020 by Scott Gleason

[UPDATE: The trees are sold out! Thank you to everyone who supported us this year.]

I hope everyone enjoyed a safe yet fun time at Thanksgiving this year. Even celebrating the holidays changed thanks to COVID-19 concerns. Hopefully, that changes soon with positive news of several vaccines on the horizon. However, we still need to keep health at the top of mind at this time of year. I certainly hope that your plans include the Westfield Y’s Men’s Christmas Tree Lot. It opens tomorrow, November 28th.

What: Westfield Y’s Men’s Christmas Tree Lot 2020
Where: 204 Elm St, Westfield, NJ
When: Sat., Nov. 28th to Wed., Dec. 23rd (or when inventory runs out, whichever comes first), 5 pm to 9 pm Mon. thru Fri., 9 am to 6 pm Sat. & Sun.

Westfield Y’s Men’s Christmas Tree Lot 2020

2020 marks the 73rd year that the Westfield Y Men’s Club Christmas Tree Lot has been in business. I may not have been there for the first tree lot, but I have happily been a part of tree sales for several years now. The money raised from the sales of Christmas trees benefits local children’s groups and programs hosted by the Westfield Area Y.

Trees & More

Volunteers from local school and Westfield Area Y programs help us trim and load trees at the lot each year. Choose from Fraser Firs, Balsams, and a hybrid of both called the Fralsam. These trees shipped directly from New Hampshire and Vermont. Our volunteers trim the bottom of each tree to allow for better water absorption. This helps keep your tree fresh longer. For a small additional fee, we can tack on a stand to your tree so all you have to do when you get home is decorate it. While our most popular trees tend to be six to eight feet in height, we also offer tabletop trees (around three to four feet tall), garlands, and decorated and undecorated wreaths.

I volunteer my time as much as possible while the tree lot remains in businesses each season. So, make sure you say “hi” if you see me while you’re there. Merry Christmas!

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes