Hometown of ‘Addams Family’ creator becomes ghoulish Halloween destination
The festival features storefront displays, an art exhibit and a masquerade ball as the town leans into its Addams Family connection.
- Westfield, N.J., is celebrating its native son, cartoonist Charles Addams, throughout October with the ninth annual AddamsFest. The monthlong event features art exhibits, music festivals, masquerade balls, and front lawn competitions honoring the creator of the iconic family.
- Cartoonist Charles Addams drew inspiration for his macabre style from the elegant Victorian homes and historic cemetery of his hometown. Westfield launched the festival to honor this legacy and celebrate its unique connection to the artist.
- Visitors can tour a heritage trail featuring the Victorian home that inspired the family's gothic mansion and a barn wall preserving a life-size skeleton drawing by a young Addams. A historic movie theater hosts an art exhibit showcasing Addams' work from his family foundation.
- Dawn Mackey, a former town councilor who helped found AddamsFest, said the festival's launch was "serendipity," predating The Addams Family animated films. The hit Netflix series Wednesday later introduced a new legion of fans to the family.
- Beyond organized events, residents actively participate in festivities, with homeowners competing for the spookiest front lawn display. "Everyone really gets into it," said resident Kelly Heuschkel, whose decorations for Halloween often surpass those for Christmas.
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Hometown of ‘Addams Family’ creator becomes ghoulish Halloween destination – WTOP News
WESTFIELD, N.J. (AP) — Before there was “The Addams Family,” there was Westfield. Cartoonist Charles Addams, who created the eccentric, fictional family, drew inspiration for his signature macabre style from the elegant Victorian homes, historic cemetery and other landmarks of his New Jersey hometown. Today the affluent community, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of...
Hometown of 'Addams Family' creator becomes ghoulish Hallowe
WESTFIELD, N.J. (AP) — Before there was “The Addams Family,” there was Westfield. Cartoonist Charles Addams , who created the eccentric, fictional family, drew inspiration for his signature macabre style from the elegant Victorian homes, historic cemetery and other landmarks of his New Jersey hometown. Today the affluent community, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Manhattan, has embraced its ghoulish legacy, honoring its darkly humoro…
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