A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… 2003 in Whip City, to be exact,
It was a period when nothing much seemed to be happening.
A group of Whip City’s best and brightest met to discuss the possibility of an autumn arts festival to be held on Westfield’s Park Square, the town green… Realizing that they all wished the best for their historic city and there is strength in numbers and camaraderie besides. these community folks came up with Westfield on Weekends, a terrific not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing people together.
One of the leaders proposed the concept (simple, but ingenious) concept of four seasonal calendars of events – like Dickens Days – each themed under one banner which Westfield business, churches, clubs and non-profits could hitch their community stars…Since then, Westfield on Weekends, aka WOW, has evolved, producing a really excellent schedule of community events that is regionally – heck, even galactically – known for its quality and fun.
Now WOW even has its own “Starship Enterprise,” a downtown community space in the historic Rinnova Building at 105 Elm Street. The space features a fine WOW shoppe, selling the wares of artists and artisans from throughout Westfield and the Pioneer Valley, and an exhibit space spotlighting artworks, curated by the J.H. Miller Gallery of West Springfield, the area’s oldest frame and gallery shop, which operates a satellite store within the starship.
In 2014, WOW ventured into another vast world of fun and opportunity by aligning itself with a wonderful entity called Westfield Creative Arts (WCA). WCA mounts a wide assortment of arts and crafts workshops at the Rinnova Gallery that indeed, is expanding the creative universes of the lucky earthlings who journey downtown to learn, grow and create.
Westfield on Weekends is a 501(c)(3) and operates with a board of directors
2019-2020 Board of Directors
Officers
Amber Danahey, President
Robert Plasse, Vice President
Barbara Trant, Vice President
Susanne Jegelewicz, Treasurer
Directors
Lisa Burns
Betty Faulhaber
Jim Johnson-Corwin
Ed Orgill
Jason Polan
Tom Sawyer
Ken Stomski
Jerry Tomasko
Amy Tosi