Recreation Commission Talks Westwood Day Formation

While the actual event is still a year away from taking place, the seed that will become the new has officially been planted.

And adding a bit of water to that seed this week was the Westwood Recreation Commission, which held an open meeting on the topic Monday night at the .

"The meeting was to get some ideas, open discussion and form committees," Westwood Recreation Director David Burnes said Tuesday. "From that, we had a lot of discussion about ideas and concepts. There was a lot of energy and a lot of excitement."

The meeting welcomed ideas and input from the public who attended, which included appearances by Westwood Fire Chief William Scoble and Schools Superintendent John Antonucci.

"I think people are really excited," said Westwood Recreation Commission Chair Elizabeth Phillips.

While a date is currently being worked out, Burnes said that Westwood Day will take place in either mid-to-late September or early October of 2012, and would be held primarily at , though Burnes said he hopes to organize some kind of "tour" that could take residents to various parts of town.

Originally, in May to the Westwood Board of Selectmen, he had anticipated to hold the event in the fall of this year.

But after more research, the to take place next year, more so to allow for more time to create a memorable experience.

The event itself will run, roughly, from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Burnes said, and would comprise a variety of activities, from a short two-mile "fun run/walk" to live music to inflatable structures for children.

Officials are also trying to organize it so that a home football game would be held after the main events of the day, followed by a fireworks display.

While they couldn't officially confirm the date of the last Westwood Day, Burnes and Phillips said they believe it may have taken place in June of 1991, just more than 20 years ago. Phillips, meanwhile, said she has spoken to a number of residents who recall the last event and are eagerly anticipating its return.

"They are really thrilled to have this back," she said.

But Burnes emphasized that this would not be a return to form for Westwood Day, as he and others are looking to create a new event for the town.

"I think we want to do this as an original idea," he said. "We'd really like to have it a traditional day, and show what Westwood is all about, as opposed to making it more of a carnival event. We're totally opposed to that."

Meanwhile, Recreation Commission Monday night developed eight committees that will be in charge of running and organizing various portions of the event:

• Westwood Day Steering Committee
  Provides oversight of Westwood Day planning. Currently comprises Burnes, Phillips, Westwood Recreation Business Manager Taryn Crocker and Recreation Specialist MaryAnne Antonellis.
• Activities Committee
  Led by Crocker, this group will manage a fun run/walk, games and grafts, and inflatables for children. Joyce Cannon will assist the committee.
• Merchants Committee
  Will manage the coordination of booths for food, beverages and retail items. Jennifer Latchford-Perkins will assist the committee.
• Music/Entertainment Committee
  Will identify and book music and entertainment for the event, as well as coordinate logistics for groups to play. A community member is currently needed to lead this committee, which will be assisted by Maureen Laughlin.
• Fundraising Committee
  Will identify corporate and private donations to offset costs of the event. Westwood Economic Development Officer Chris McKeown will work with committee members; Tim Adams will assist the committee.
• Facilities/Operations & Safety Committee
  Will coordinate and manage logistical needs for the event. Ken Aries, Burnes, and the and , as well as the will will work with the Committee, which will be assisted by Paul Tucceri.
• Volunteer Committee
  Will work with heads of the other committees to help identify volunteer needs for the event. Westwood Recreation Program Manager Kristin Scoble and Michelle Hebner will lead the committee.
• PR/Marketing/Communications Committee
  Will promote and communicate the event through various mediums such as print, online and social media. A community member is currently being sought to lead the committee, which will be assisted by Diane Thornton.

The Recreation Department and Commission are currently looking to fill each committee with members, which includes any resident in Westwood who might be interested.

Those who do wish to take part in any of the committees and help organize Westwood Day are encouraged to contact the Westwood Recreation Department at 781-461-0070 or recreation@townhall.westwood.ma.us.

"It was very open and kind of a strategic kind of meeting," Phillips said. "We definitely want the buy in from the community, because that's only going to make it stronger."

Once the other committees are formed, a head of each committee will also be represented on the Steering Committee, said Burnes, who anticipates that all committees should be filled with focused goals by the early part of January 2012.