West Roxbury Main Streets’ First Westie Fest is a Success
Hundreds of people enjoyed the spectacular day at West Roxbury Main Street's first annual Westie Fest Fall Festival held at Billings Field last month. The October day saw sunshine and unusually warm seventy degree weather. The festival was filled with entertainment as West Roxbury residents and friends of all ages gathered at Billings Field. “We couldn’t have a better day and a better turnout from the community for this inaugural festival. It was a special day in West Roxbury and we’re so grateful to all who participated in making it happen.”
Angel Diaz (Center). owner of The Centerpiece Flower Shop, sold fresh cut flower arrangements, plants that include rare and unusual succulents and cacti, organic soaps, and decorative items including pots, vases, pins and magnets.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stopped by Westie Fest with her children. From left: WRMS Executive Director Jacob Robinson, Thriving Places Co-Founder Jill Eshelman, WRMS Design Committee Volunteer Andy Rodrigue, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, WRMS Board Member Brian Trabish.
Over fifty vendors participated in the event, including local artisans, small businesses and community organizations t . Sponsors of the event included Boston Main Streets Foundation, Brookline Bank, Design Crossover Architecture and Interiors, Impact Capital Strategies, Metro Credit Union, Parkway Apartments, Rockland Trust, Sazama Real Estate, and Top It Off. From cupcakes to sweatshirts and jewelry to toys, attendees of Westie Fest were not disappointed with the great products and services brought to them by local business owners.
Best Friends Supplies, a pet accessories and advocacy business based in West Roxbury, was one of the 50+ vendors at the inaugural fall festival.
Meaghan Keenan, owner of Good Karma Candles and lifelong resident of West Roxbury, sets up her table debuting her collections of clean candles.
One of these artisan vendors included Meaghan Keenan, owner ofGood Karma Candles (and WRMS Board Member). Good Karma Candles creates their scented candles without using harmful chemicals in their ingredients. Keenan said, “It was such an honor to be a part of Westie Fest. Myself and my business, Good Karma Candles, we’re born and raised in West Roxbury. It was amazing to celebrate the community which has supported my business so much. WRMS did a fabulous job with organizing the event and communicating to the vendors. I’m so grateful to have been a part of the event and look forward to doing it again.”
Food vendors present at Westie Fest included Banh Mi Oi, Bertucci’s, and Mig’s Dogs. Phil Pham from Bahn Mi Oi said, “The event went really well. The weather was especially nice, which the outcome reflected. Jacob and the team at Main Streets were a tremendous support and made the event seamless for us. Staff were also local. The DJ was fantastic. I would really love to see next year expand.” Banh Mi Oi opened in 2020 during the height of the pandemic on Centre Street in West Roxbury. The restaurant provides customers with delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine bringing a taste of Vietnam to West Roxbury.
On the softball field, Kelly Maher from K-Energy Fitness MCed the event throughout the day. Kelly did a fantastic job working as the event’s DJ playing upbeat songs that ranged from classics such as the Y.M.C.A as well as brand new music from Taylor Swift. Children of all ages enjoyed gathering around the DJ stand dancing to music, hanging out with friends, and winning prizes at the many different contests held throughout the day. Kelly worked diligently to make sure that all of the children were having an amazing time. Sound and speaker systems were arranged by locally-based Capron Services.
In addition to the dance contests, children could also participate in Westie Fest’s pumpkin contest. Debbie Lee of Hopscotch Labs ran programs that entertained the children attending Westie Fest. The pumpkin contest received many fantastic entries showing the artistic talents of the attendees. Next to the pumpkins, children were able to have their faces painted with some opting for spooky Halloween themes.
Top It Off owner Elizabeth Hoenschied models fall fashion with her daughter, Caroline, at Westie Fest’s Fashion Show.
During Westie Fest, owner of Top It Off Elizabeth Hoenschied held a Fall Fashion Show displaying the many fashionable clothes and accessories that Top It Off has to offer. Elizabeth’s daughter Caroline was one of the many Top It Off members modeling in the show. Fashion pieces included plaid jackets, fall scarves, warm shawls, and statement necklaces.
One of the highlights of Westie Fest included the Dog Costume Contest. There were over twenty great entries. Costumes included a not-so-scary lion, cowboy, and dragon. Viewers packed around the softball field to see the many adorable costumes and hidden talents of the dogs and owners. First place for the Funniest Costume went to Moses the Elf. The Scariest Costume was awarded to Sonny dressed as the infamous doll Chucky. Cutest Costume went to Cricket dressed as a tiger. Henry the Chocolate Lab took home the prize for Most Original. Finally, the Best Team award went to Annie and Sibling as Skunk and Baby Skunk. The contest was judged by WRMS Board Member Brian Trabish, Boston Police Officer Mark –, and West Roxbury’s Office of Neighborhood Services Liaison, Jake Lacey.
Mayor Michelle Wu stopped by Billings Field to attend Westie Fest. Westie Fest also saw visits from Boston City Councilors Kendra Lara, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia. The first Westie Fest was a great success thanks to the hard work of the many vendors and volunteers. West Roxbury Main Streets is looking forward to building Westie Fest Fall Festival into an annual event.
Kelly Maher— from K-Energy Fitness dances while DJing at Westie Fest.
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