WESTWOOD, N.J.—Though the borough ever revels in reinventing itself, one thing has remained constant for 125 years: Westwood knows how to throw a party.
Families were the star of the show June 1–8 for a standout lineup of Celebrate Westwood events.
Saturday, June 1 was opening day of the Westwood Farmers’ Market; Sunday saw Westwood Heritage Society’s Annual Westwood Pride Day and craft fair in Veterans Memorial Park; Tuesday was Conrad’s Confectionery 1900s Throwback Night; Thursday delivered a barbershop quartet on the stroll downtown; Friday brought “The Wizard of Oz” to cinematic life at Veterans Memorial Park; and Saturday—oh boy, Saturday!
Saturday, June 8 was Westwood Free Public Library’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, themed “What’s Your Story?” featuring special events and activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The borough’s Celebrate Westwood Festival activities ran 1 to 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, the Central Business District, and Firemen’s Memorial Park.
Attractions included touch-a-truck, inflatables, lawn games, Heritage Society exhibitions, the sale of food and treats from local restaurants, “meal deals” throughout town, and live music courtesy of the Westwood Community Band and Westwood Music Studios.
Celebrations culminated Saturday in a family-friendly Block Dance Party on Park Avenue from 8 to 10 p.m. featuring music through the ages.
As part of the anniversary celebration, the Celebrate Westwood Committee launched Westwood’s Community Quilt, the borough’s first community art project, which will be on long-term public display once completed.
Additional events are planned all year. In addition to the borough’s 125th (its quasquicentennial) and the library’s 100th (its centennial), this year the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department marks 125 years, with festivities on the way; the Westwood Women’s Club turns 100; the Westwood Heritage Society celebrates 30 years; St. Andrew Church turns 130; Grace Episcopal Church turns 115; Temple Lodge #173 Free and Accepted Masons celebrates its 120th; and Temple Assembly #32 International Organization of Rainbow Girls marks a spry 80.
The Library will continue to host a membership drive—“100 For 100”—and is recording video and oral histories of Westwood residents through its “What’s Your Story?” initiative.
The Westwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a “Historic Properties” recognition program, and the Westwood Heritage Society is curating a special exhibition on the history of the Society.
Many Westwood businesses have partnered to offer limited-time discounts and promotions. All commercial sponsors were given an individualized Celebrate Westwood anniversary year seal indicating the number of years they have been in operation in Westwood for display in their establishments or for use at their own discretion.
All of this is made possible in part through the support of Pascack Valley Medical Center, CareOne at Valley, Oritani Charitable Foundation, Westwood For All Ages, Edward Jones and many other generous event and activity sponsors.
Committee lauds dedicated volunteers
“We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, creativity and dedication of our volunteers, community leaders, and business participants,” Committee Chairperson Lauren Letizia told Pascack Press April 10.
“Everyone can see that Westwood has an interesting history and we believe that these community wide celebrations and projects will help build momentum for an even more prosperous future,” she added.
On June 11 she updated her impressions in a letter to the editor, saying in part, “Westwood Week 2019 may be over but the Borough is still buzzing thanks to the many ways our beloved community came together to Celebrate Westwood for its 125th anniversary.”
She added, “What began as a small planning committee of representatives from the Borough, Heritage Society, Fire Department, Chamber of Commerce, and Public Library grew to a community-wide collaboration with volunteers of all abilities, ages, backgrounds, and stories.”
Letizia said, “Please accept this sincere thank you note for your participation, your attendance, and your celebrations! Your enthusiasm exceeded our wildest expectations.”
According to Letizia, more than 100 volunteers ensured the week’s activities went off without a hitch; 50 merchants, restaurants, and professionals signed on as sponsors; 15 churches, non-profits, and fraternal organizations participated in various capacities; and 10 borough departments and boards “dedicated time and resources to ensure a safe and memorable series of events.”
She singled out the police, fire, ambulance, DPW, and health departments.
“To the many hundreds of Westwood residents and neighbors who attended the events, thank you for your energy and for coming together in ways we could never have imagined to enjoy all our borough has to offer,” she said.
Letizia said, “Rest assured there is plenty more up our commemorative T-shirt sleeves! Please continue to submit squares for our community quilt through the summer and stay tuned for more events to come in the second half of this 2019 anniversary year!”
Follow Celebrate Westwood on Facebook and Instagram or visit its website, celebratewestwood.org.
For Kristin Beuscher’s exclusive “Back in Time” features on Westwood, touching on life in the borough over the past 125 years—and a 1969 message to Westwoodians in the year 2044, click here.
