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5,000 attend Westfield YWCA arts, crafts fest

WESTFIELD — After postponing in 2020 due to COVID-19, YWCA Westfield resumed its annual Arts & Crafts Festival July 30-July 31.

The free two-day event took place in Moore Park where visitors browsed dozens of booths offering handmade home decor, clothing, toys and original art. The festival featured more than 110 vendors of handmade crafts and event organizers estimate that approximately 5,000 people attended the event.

“YWCA Westfield is grateful to all members of the committee for organizing a fantastic festival. We look forward to it every year, as we know the community does too, because it showcases both talent from local artists and craftspeople as well as Westfield as a beautiful town in our region,” said YWCA Westfield Executive Director Stephanie Stevens.

The proceeds from the festival support programming for local seniors and youth. YWCA Westfield provides fitness and social programming to seniors and co-curricular programs in Westfield and Ripley schools. Programming for seniors provides social opportunities as well as classes and access to fitness equipment, both important for wellness as we age.

YWCA Westfield’s signature before-and-after school programs provide academic support, a healthy snack, opportunities for physical and social activities and in many cases, make it possible for parents and guardians of school age children to seek or maintain employment knowing their children have high-quality supervision during out of school time.

“We are committed to providing safe, supportive out-of-school time programming to the communities of Westfield and Ripley, in line with our mission to empower women to live their fullest lives by removing barriers such as affordable care and mentoring for their children,” said Stevens. “Lack of access to this childcare can be a major barrier to consistent employment for many families, especially those headed by single mothers.”

YWCA Westfield’s before-and-after-school programs are in session at Westfield and Ripley schools on each school day for children in kindergarten through grade six.

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