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Planning for West Springfield's inaugural Winterfest underway, set for February 2015

Date: 12/19/2014

WEST SPRINGFIELD – It’s West Springfield Inc., a nonprofit created to put on events and highlight individuals in the community, is in the planning process of its first event in 2015: Winterfest. The event will take place on Feb. 14 and run, tentatively, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Winterfest is a community-wide event that invites the public to visit local businesses and venues that will be hosting activities throughout the day, according to It’s West Springfield President Roberta Page.

“We’re trying to let people know what we have downtown and to showcase it,” Page said. 

The various events will be taking place along Main, Elm and Union Streets, as well as Park Avenue, according to Page. Those in attendance will be able to ride a horse-drawn carriage or a Peter Pan double-decker bus throughout downtown.

While many of the finer details are still in the works, Page said that some venues will be offering free hot chocolate, apple cider and tea and that members of the Springfield Falcons will be also be attending.

Though months of planning have already gone into the process, Page said there is still much to do before February rolls around and that more businesses are needed to host activities. Most importantly, she said, they need more funding.

Despite this, Page said the reaction has been nothing but excitement from all ends, including from Mayor Edward Sullivan, who she said has been “cooperative and supportive.”

The event will kick off February break for West Springfield Public Schools, and Page hopes the family-friendly event will give residents something to do to enjoy that time off.

Above all, the goal of the event is for citizens of West Springfield to rally around their community.

 “We want to improve the quality of life for everyone in West Springfield and make positive impacts on everybody associated with our town,” Page said.

The snow day for Winterfest will be on Feb. 21. Those interested in donating or volunteering for the event, as well as businesses looking to help out should call 732-5472 or 530-8000. They can also send a letter of interest to It’s West Springfield, 10 Central Street, Suite 20, West Springfield 01089.