Community Fall Festival celebrates autumn

IF YOU GOEvent: Community Fall Festival When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, 28 West Silver St., Westfield For info: For a detailed calendar of festival activities, go online to www.bgcwestfield .org; call (413) 562-2301 It's time for adults, children, ghosts and witches alike to mark their calendars and save the date to attend the 16th annual Community Fall Festival on Saturday .

This free community event is hosted each year by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield in conjunction with the mayor's office, the Police Department's Safety Initiative and Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department. The festival officially kicks off at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 5 p.m.

This rain-or-shine event will take place at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield located at 28 West Silver St.

"The Community Fall Festival is a great event that brings the whole community together to ensure that everyone can enjoy the seasonal traditions," said Bill Parks, the club's executive director.

"There have been weeks of planning and hard work done by numerous organizations to make this event free of charge. We would like to thank monetary donations from Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department, Westfield Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, Kiwanis Club of Westfield, Firtion Adams Funeral Services and Walmart."

This family event has educational and recreational activities for all ages. The free festivities will include jack-o-lantern carving and contest, child identification program, a bounce house, carnival games, face painting, craft projects, kids workshop projects, cookie decorating, pony rides, spooky story contest, ice skating, police canine unit demonstration, the SAFE program and a Halloween costume contest.

Last year the event added a mobile petting zoo which will be back by popular demand. Children will be able to pet and groom an alpaca, mini donkey, lambs, bunnies, chicks and many other friendly farm animals.

People will be able to experience the thrills of riding in a helicopter for a $15 fee which will directly benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield.

The club's Keystone Teen Leadership Club will sell hot dogs, hamburgers and snacks throughout the day. People are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item to donate to the food drive and receive a fun prize.