Your Halloween season just got a lot ookier. Take your coven to the 2nd Annual AddamsFest, a Westfield-wide shindig dedicated to local Charles Addams, the cartoonist who created The Addams Family characters. Last year the fun only lasted a weekend. Luckily, this year’s event is back and bigger than ever with tons of new stuff for grown-ups and little monsters alike.
AddamsFest for the Kids
October 17-27: New this year is Gomez’s Dynamite Model Railway, in honor of his love for model trains. See small-scale model railroads featuring Westfield landmarks, plus exhibitions by The Model Railroad Club of Union County. Tickets are first come, first serve and a suggested $5 donation.
October 20: Let the kids run wild on The Addams Family Fun Zone. They can stroll Quimby Street to meet with Addams Family characters and street performers. Then, they can be wowed by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers’ displays and show off their moves at a Monster Mash dance party. There’ll also be live music, vendor booths run by local businesses, a Howl-o-Ween Dog Parade and a costume contest.
October 27: Deck ’em out for The Optimist Club of Westfield’s Annual Halloween Parade and the Downtown Westfield Corporation’s Costume Contest. Prizes will be given for a range of Halloween and Addams-related categories. Then, kids ages 12 and under start their inevitable sugar rush early at Pugsley’s Trunk or Treat at the South Avenue train station. They’ll score tons of sweets from decorated and themed cars.
AddamsFest for the Adults
October 16: Love ghosts? Hunt some of your own at Paranormal Investigations at the Reeve House. Tour the 1872 historic home with pros from New Jersey Paranormal who’ll be on the search for paranormal activity. If you have a brave teen age 14 or older, they can come along, too.
October 19: Morticia and Gomez’s Masquerade Ball at The James Ward Mansion is a classy (and kooky!) affair, so much so that it sold out last year. Wear your darkest threads for a walk down the purple carpet, chow down on Addams-inspired gourmet bits, sample smoking cocktails and boogie down on the dance floor. Don’t miss your chance to tango with the Addams and get a tarot reading. $125/ticket, going on sale Friday, Sept. 13!
October 26: Calling all beer nerds! Charlie’s Ale Garden is slingin’ brews and wine alike plus bites from local restaurants at the Westfield Armory. Bring your crew for live music, and don’t forget a jacket: this beer garden has both indoor and outdoor areas. See the details on buying tickets and the music lineup.
For the Whole Family
October 15-23: Do you have a creepy little creator on your hands? They’ll love seeing the works of students and pros alike in The Chas Addams & Friends Art Exhibit. Head to the James Ward Mansion to see Addams’ original works alongside reproductions and local student art submitted to the Charles Addams Cartoon Contest.
October 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27: Lurch’s Lecture Series will be a joy for history buffs of all ages. Reserve your spot through the Westfield Memorial Library website. Events and topics include The Life of Charles Addams, The Chas Addams Workshop by New Yorker Cartoonist Felipe Galindo and The Charles Addams Walking Tour.
October 1-November 3: Don’t miss the Wicked Windows of Westfield: Local businesses downtown and on South Avenue decorate their shop windows in Addams’ style.