School has started, mornings are colder, we are starting to get into the fall season, and along with the season comes the Westminster Cracker Festival. A festival for all to attend every fall. The festival has been going on for 10 years. This festival started in 2015 as a celebration of the history of the Westminster Cracker Factory, which was built in 1842, becoming a big town event.
The festival this year is on October 18th, from 10 am to 5 pm, and it will happen rain or shine. The festival always happens on the 3rd Saturday of October every year. Anyone is welcome to come. The festival day is always a great day to have a family day.
This Festival has many different vendors for you to go to and try out! The vendors they have are stuff like food, crafts, clothing, and farm products. The festival has live music performances with different bands. The bands that play at the festival change every year, but this year the artists are THE FOOLS, who are a Massachusetts rock band, Mr. Strickland, which is a classic rock band, The Tribe, which is a popular alternative rock band from Boston, Fred Ellsworth, who is a country music singer, and the Westminster Elementary Band!
There are several kinds of activities that you can do and that happen at the festival. A 5k run goes on every year before the festival, which you can sign up to run in. The run starts at 9 and ends at 10, which is when the festival starts. The entry fee is $25. Anyone can sign up! There is also a princess parade that happens at the festival every year. Kids can dress up in their prince or princess costumes and see the Cracker Queen.
The Festival happens in the center of town, 10 Village Square, Westminster, MA. Parking is free. While driving through the town, look out for signs that say parking. While driving through the town, you will also see painted dog statues, which are raffled off on the day of the festival. The Oakmont Art Department collaborated with the Westminster Cracker Festival to help paint the dog statues. Suppose you are ever walking through Oakmont and pass by the art room. On the wall, you will be able to see which students helped.
There is a family area for families to hang out, which is perfect for kids. The family area includes stuff like a bouncy house, a sandbox, and you can get your face painted as well! The festival has many sponsors, such as Westminster Bakers Co., Wachusett Brewing Company, Aubuchon Hardware, IC Federal Credit Union, Fitchburg Welding, and Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.
At the festival, there will be plenty of fun activities to do, things to eat and drink, and you could even sing and dance along to the music. The Westminster Cracker Festival is a great place to go to, so if you can, go on the 18th of October.
