As many as 18,000 people are expected to descend on the city this weekend for WestFest's 20th annual arts celebration at Stanley Park. Signs promoting the suggested alternate route will be prominently posted. Brian J. Boldini, adding that both the park and the college have hired extra police officers to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Boldini urges motorists who aren't attending either event to avoid Western Avenue tomorrow morning. WestFest will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both tomorrow and Sunday, in the park's rose garden and pavilion areas.
Admission is free.
More than 100 juried artists, craftsmen and photographers, working in traditional and contemporary styles, are slated to attend. There will also be daily art demonstrations, performances by musicians, mimes and jugglers, and a food court Artistic demonstrations will start tomorrow, at 1 p.m., with a floral arranging demonstration by Irene Jensen of Southwick. On Sunday, at 1 p.m., JoAnne Parisi , the owner of the Calico Stitchery Quilt Shop in West Springfield, will demonstrate how to make quilts. Paul Leveille, an internationally known portrait painter, will demonstrate at 3 p.m. Musicians and performers will perform in the performing arts tent and about the grounds. Used with permission.