Happy Christmas and see you in the New Year!

We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas! Thank you for another fun filled successful year. We look forward to seeing everyone in March for our Maple Syrup Festival starting on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas - One More Night!

Saturday, December 17 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. is the last opportunity to visit Westfield this year and it's beginning to look like Christmas in the Village.

Walking the country lane to the D'Aubigny Inn at Westfield.

 

The fireworks at 6:30 p.m. (weather permitting) have been spectacular and will look even more impressive against the snow blanket covering the Village. Carol singing is taking place in the Church from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Father Christmas will also be out to volunteer one more evening before his travel plans take him to places far far away. We hope to see you soon. 

Christmas In The Country

Visitors have another opportunity to celebrate the festive season at Westfield this coming weekend. Westfield will be open on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. as well as Sunday, Dec. 11 from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday is an extra special day. Admission is free. Visitors are encouraged to participate in our food drive and bring a non-perishable food item to go to the local food bank.

One of a kind ornaments for sale. Visit Eddie D. Cat Confectionery at the General Store.

Don't forget the fantastic fireworks show will take place Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Come early and enjoy a light refreshment in the Ironwood Hall and then take a stroll out to the Village to see the bright lights in the sky

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Christmas has arrived at Westfield. We will be open on Saturdays, December 3, 10, and 17 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for this unique Christmas experience. There will be fireworks each evening at 6:30 p.m. (weather permitting) and a carol sing in the church following the fireworks. The buildings are decorated and the costumed interpreters are eager to celebrate the season with visitors.

This year Westfield also welcomes The Farm House Kitchen catering company to the Ironwood Hall. Reasonable priced treats will be for sale including homemade cinnamon buns, Christmas cookies, festive holiday squares, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. There will also be a more hearty fare such as homemade soup, pasta, and sliders.

If you are looking for some last minute Christmas presents check out the one-of -kind gift shop operated by the Friends of Westfield. This fundraiser helps to support many of the capital projects completed around the site. Eddie D. Cat Confectionery is also open with yummy candy treats and unique Christmas ornaments for sale.

 

 Admission for an adult is $11.00, senior 65+ is $10.00, student (13-17 yrs) is $10.00, a child (6-12 yrs) is $6.50 and a child 5 and under is free. There is no charge for parking. We also accept the Nature's Reward Pass for this program. Tickets can also be purchased online at our website- just remember to print the ticket to hand in at the admissions kiosk when you arrive.

Westfield is located at 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton, ON, L0R 1X0.



Halloween Is Coming!

Join us for our Witch and Warlock Party on Friday, October 28 and

Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Come join this fun loving Witch and Warlock at the Westfield Party!

This is a family friendly event with something for all ages. There will be a craft in the school house, a shadow play at the D'Aubigny Inn, story telling at the Bamberger House, a camp fire in early Settlement Area and potions for sale in the Eddie D. Cat Confectionery Store. New this year is the illuminated forest and for those more hearty souls risk the walk to the Sugar Shack. The Ironwood Hall will be open for food services provided by the Ancaster Lions.

Admission tickets are available at the door. An adult admission is $11.00, a senior (65+) is $10.00, a child (6-12 years) is $6.50 and a child 5 and under is free. We also accept the Nature's Reward pass which allows up to 6 people (including 4 adults) in for free. See you soon!

A Taste of Warm Bread

In 1852 a book called Roughing It In the Bush was published. The author, Susanna Moodie, accounts her first seven years in Canada starting in 1832. She includes a story about her "first Canadian loaf." She writes:

It not only required experience to know when it (the dough) was in a fit state for baking, but the oven should have been brought to a proper temperature to receive the bread. Ignorant of all this, I put my unrisen loaf into a cold kettle, and heaped a large quantity of hot ashes above and below it. The first intimation I had of the result of my experiment was the disagreeable odour of burning bread filling the house.

Susanna Moodie would have benefitted greatly if she had lived near some of Westfield's volunteers to give her proper instruction on baking bread. On Sunday, October 2 from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. visitors can learn the way to bake a loaf of bread in a bake oven, a kettle or wood burning stove. Come taste and smell a little history. Admission for an adult is $9.50, a child 6-12 years is $5.50 and a child 5 and under is free. Visitors can also use their Nature's Reward Pass.

Telling Tales 2016

Westfield hosts the 8th Annual Telling Tales Festival on Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. This yearly event is Westfield's busiest day with over 25 of Canada's leading children's writers, illustrators, musician and storytellers all set against the backdrop of the historical village. Presenters this year will include Barbara Reid, Ruth Ohi, Kenneth Oppel, Jeremy Tankard and Kevin Sylvester. There will be opportunities to purchase, donate and swap books. Bring your favourite Barbara Reid book and have it autographed or enjoy a performance by Turkey Rhubarb. The historic buildings will also be open for visitors to tour.

 

This is a free event to everyone. Make sure to park at the Rockton fairgrounds and take the free shuttle service to Westfield. There is no public parking available at Westfield. If you don't want to lug your picnic lunch with you food services are provided by Puslinch Optimist, Strabane Optimist, Living Rock Harvest Truck, Jeff's Street Eats, Hippi Pops and the Ironwood Café.

To check out all the details visit www.tellingtales.org. Join www.facebook.com/tellingtalesfestival  Follow www.twitter.com/tellingtalesffs