Winter can be a slow time of year for local businesses and that’s why downtown Westfield is ready to shed some light this March with a ‘Glo Downtown’ initiative. Visitors to Westfield will find colorful shop windows and glow-themed specials all around town, all designed to light up the dark winter season. The highlight of this initiative is 15 giant, sound-producing seesaws that kids and adults can take turns riding.
Impulse, an international art installation, features the illuminated seesaws which up to four people can ride at a time.
The Impulse seesaws are coming to the North Avenue Westfield Train Station from Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 21, and will be open for public use from 9 am to 9 pm, following a 5:30 pm opening ceremony on March 4.
“The ultimate goal of the Impulse seesaw installation is to draw people into town during a traditionally slow time of year while providing families from around the region a fun winter activity,” said Bob Zuckerman, executive director of Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) in a press release for the event. “While residents and visitors are in town riding the seesaws, we want them to play, shop, and dine and enjoy the amazing offerings of our local businesses.”
Impulse was initially launched in Montréal and will be arriving in Westfield just in time to infuse some excitement in the area for retailers and restaurants.
Downtown Westfield hopes that people who come to ride the seesaws will stay for Glo Downtown self-directed Chocolate Tour Weekends, Pie in the Sky Pizza Challenge, dining specials & hot shopping deals – available only while the Impulse seesaw installation is open.
The Impulse seesaws are part of the Glo Downtown experience throughout March 21, offering a wide variety of seasonal specials from Downtown Westfield’s businesses. These specials will include:
- Professional photo sessions on the seesaws with framing packages
- The Chocolate Tour each of the three weekends
- A Pie in the Sky Pizza Challenge on March 13 and 14; and
- Exciting Glo Downtown retail deals, in addition to Glo Downtown dining specials and cocktails in select restaurants.
Details on each of these specials, with others to be announced, will be accessible through WestfieldToday.com and on Downtown Westfield social media.
“We know that this antidote for seasonal blues will enable everyone to have a good time and our businesses to generate much-needed revenue,” said councilwoman Dawn Mackey.
“The seesaws bring a carefree feeling of playfulness in what has been a heavy year,” said Erin Ben-Hayon, Chairperson of Downtown Westfield’s Promotion Committee and local realtor with David Realty Group. “During these short winter days, the Westfield Train Station will be transformed into an outdoor playground of LED lights and sounds. But it’s the sounds of laughter that I’m looking forward to the most.”
The seesaws will be free to the public for use in 10-minute increments. Visitors must wear masks and maintain social distancing, and sanitizing wipes will be provided.
