AddamsFest Returns To Westfield In October
(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- The town-wide celebration of Westfield's own Charles Addams returns this October! As we did in 2020, the festivities will be shaped by creative approaches to gatherings that provide a safe environment while maintaining the initial spirit of the celebration.
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, and a 2019 animated film. In October 2020, he was posthumously inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. What better place to honor Addams’ talent and creativity than the town where he grew up?
After the success of its first three years, AddamsFest returns this year to celebrate this prolific talent and the hometown that inspired those altogether ooky characters.
Westfield will be transformed to all things Charles Addams with family themed events, movie screenings, exhibits and much more. With something for everyone, AddamsFest promises to be a whimsy-filled festival honoring the man, his legacy and the town where it all started.
Events include Morticia & Gomez's Mask-erade Ball; Complements: The Art of Charles Addams and Suzanne Heilmann; Charlie's Ale Garden (Saturday, October 16 from 6:00pm - 11:00pm, outdoors at the Westfield Armory); Family Fun Day on Sunday, October 17, Quimby Street; Dudley's Drive-In on Friday, October 22. And of course, don't miss the return of Wicked Windows, the Haunt Your House Contest, and Gomez's Lecture Series.
Morticia & Gomez's mask-erade ball - Friday, October 1st at 7:00pm @ The Westfield Historical Society (314 Mountain Avenue) in Westfield. The ball is back this year -- but in an outdoor gathering like no other! Sip smoldering libations in a ghoulish chic atmosphere on the grounds of the Westfield Historical Society on Friday, October 1, from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. The rain date (because who are we kidding?) is Saturday, October 2.
Dress to impress for this outdoor event (but maybe leave the stilettos at home this year). Enjoy music and dancing, as well as offerings from local fine dining establishments presented in pandemic-friendly individual servings.
WHAT ABOUT DELTA? They're on it, obsessively. That's why the event is outdoors, providing individually portioned food, and -- this is important -- requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter.
Wicked Windows of Westfield from September 30 - November 7 throughout Downtown Westfield. AddamsFest promises to transform Westfield into a fanciful, spooky, kooky destination. They invite everyone to wander through downtown and South Avenue to behold the Wicked Windows of Westfield, a celebration of Halloween and the Addams Family by the best retailers in New Jersey!
Strolling through Westfield, you will be impressed by three-dimensional seasonal displays and intricately painted windows. Come alone or with your family and friends to enjoy the art, take some pictures and stay to grab a warm meal and a cold drink in a year when supporting Westfield's businesses matters more than ever.
Complements: The Art of Charles Addams and Suzanne Heilmann held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from October 8 - October 31 at The Rialto Theater; Weekends: October 8 - October 31 on Fridays from 4:00pm - 8:00pm; Saturdays from 11:00am - 5:00pm; and Sundays from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.
They say that art imitates life. But sometimes art imitates other art, even if by coincidence. Artist and friend of The Tee & Charles Addams Foundation Suzanne Heilmann’s masterpieces get a special twist in this exhibit, which pairs her imaginative works alongside an artist who also had a flair for the extraordinary – Charles Addams.
A self-proclaimed “Texturalist," where art draws inspiration from what she observes and finds around her, Suzanne often incorporates “found” objects into her work, and melds the traditional with the diverse.
To some, it will be hard to believe that all her works of art were done by the same person. Suzanne’s art moves throughout all mediums, including layers of paint, paper, fabric, copper/metals, or wood. These materials create work diverse enough to transcend expectations, while keeping a common thread throughout.
The AddamsFest team stumbled upon Suzanne’s work during a visit to Charles Addams’ home in The Hamptons in 2020. They were delighted to find art as whimsical and mysterious as that of Addams himself, and are excited to share Ms. Heilmann’s work with Westfield.
The Rialto Theater is located at 250 east Broad Street in Westfield.
EVENT ENTRY INFORMATION: Although advance tickets are not required, there is a suggested donation of $5-$10 for entry. Please note that masks are required, and food/drink are not permitted at the exhibit.
For more information on the festival, visit www.addamsfest.com
