Westfield Welcome will host the inaugural Lantern Days event presented by Stacey Sobczak with Compass Realty at Grand Junction Plaza on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7. This will be the first large scale event at Westfield’s recently opened Grand Junction Plaza in the downtown district. Lantern Days is set to “shed light on Westfield’s past and illuminate its future” as Westfield celebrates its 188th birthday on May 6.
“We are excited to showcase Grand Junction Plaza with this brand-new event that aims to celebrate our history and embrace what is to come,” Mayor Andy Cook said. “We are looking forward to seeing families take full advantage of all the park has to offer.”
Festivities will kick off on Friday, May 6 with a concert featuring The Fun Factor Band beginning at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, the event will feature food vendors, retail vendors selling handmade and/or vintage items, crafts stations, games and a petting zoo. Actors from Main Street Productions will provide historical re-enactments of several of Westfield’s founding members. Guests can also take part in self-guided walking tours throughout downtown Westfield and learn more about the significance of several buildings and landmarks.
Another major attraction of Lantern Days will be the Lantern Story Stations. These stations will highlight prominent buildings and organizations within the city and representatives will provide information on their historical significance.
The event is free to attend. Event information can be found at westfieldwelcome.com/lantern-days.
Public parking for the event is available in the gravel lot directly east of Grand Junction Plaza, in the parking lot at the southwest corner of Poplar and Park streets, at Union Bible College, 434 S. Union St., and in designated on-street spots. A courtesy golf cart shuttle will be available for attendees at the Poplar and Park streets lot as well as Union Bible College both days. Click here to see a parking map.
About Westfield Welcome
Westfield Welcome focuses on community engagement and hospitality for residents, businesses and visitors. As a department of the City of Westfield, Westfield Welcome hosts more than 25 annual events and provides hundreds of volunteer opportunities each year.