The two stated goals of WEYFEST were Community and Town Pride Building! Thanks to our host, Mayor Bob Hedlund, WEYFEST delivered on those initiatives in a way we all should feel proud!
Those who attended this year's WEYFEST at Southfield, or watched our Torch Run advance through the streets received and embraced our message! Over 200 Weymouth citizens, 30 Community groups, a collection of successful hometown personalities, committed business owners, dedicated Town Departments, and a devoted citizenry extended themselves to make our inaugural WEYFEST a success. A big thanks goes out to all WEYFEST participants big and small; we could not have done this without you!
WEYFEST was intended to celebrate all that is good about our amazing hometown. Good became great at WEYFEST 2016, and WEYFEST 2017 will be even better!
Check out pictures from the event here.
WEYFEST will begin with a Torch Bearer/Lighting ceremony from the original landing spot of the first settlers of Wessagusett in 1622. A series of runners will advance the Torch through the streets of Weymouth – citizens of distinction and merit - followed by WPD. Scheduled to arrive at Southfield at aprox 11A to "open" WEYFEST 2016, the final “leg” of our relay will be run by Weymouth’s own Olympian, Tim Sweeney, Albertville, FR 1992! Tim will hand off the torch to Mayor Hedlund as he lights the cauldron!
Tim Sweeney
Tim Sweeney played hockey for Boston College (1985–89). He led the Eagles in scoring his senior year with 73 points as the team advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals. Sweeney was selected 122nd overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. In his first year after college, the 1989–90 season, he won the International Hockey League's Ken McKenzie Trophy for Rookie of the Year.
Sweeney played for the Calgary Flames, the Boston Bruins, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the New York Rangers in the NHL. In his career, he appeared in 291 NHL games, scoring 55 goals and 138 points. Sweeney was a top producer for the 1992 US Olympic Men’s Hockey team’s Albertville, France games and finished his professional hockey career in 1999. Tim is a native of North Weymouth, MA.
Councilor Becky Haugh
Becky moved to Weymouth in January 2008 and quickly became involved in town affairs to include joining the North Weymouth Civic Association and participating in various youth sports around town. She ran successfully for Town Council in 2013 and was sworn in to represent District 1 (North Weymouth) in January 2014.
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards is an American Luger who competed in the 1990's. He finished fourth in the men's doubles event at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.
Prior to his luge career, Edwards was a high school All-American in American football and was a top recruit courted by many prestigious colleges to play. Edwards today lives in Calgary and is vice president of Olympic luge for the Canadian Luge Association. He is married and with his wife runs Cushy Life, a bedding and drapery company. Jonathan was born March 28, 1972 in Weymouth,Massachusetts where his mother still resides!
Kate Meehan Trudeau and Ed Meehan
Kate is a lifelong resident of Weymouth. She graduated from Weymouth South High School and Springfield College. Kate is a 5 time Division II College All American for Cross Country and Track, and she still holds 3 track records at Springfield. She is an elementary school teacher and resides in South Weymouth with her husband Dale and 2 children
Ed has lived in Weymouth for 45 years and raised his 3 children in Weymouth. He is a Harvard College graduate and has been inducted into three Hall of Fames: Oliver Ames High School, Weymouth High School and Harvard. Ed taught Social Studies at Weymouth High School for 36 years. In addition he coached Cross Country, Winter & Spring track. Currently he resides in South Weymouth with his wife Jane and continues his love for coaching as a volunteer spring track coach. Kate and Ed will run as a tandem!
Heather Mullin
In August of 2007 Heather and Jerry heard the terrible news that no parent should ever have to hear. Their beautiful, sweet and bright daughter, Joanna, had been killed at the tender age of 6. Such devastating loss is unfathomable to most of us. It is difficult to imagine how a family could survive such a tragedy.
Heather made a promise to keep life as normal as possible for her children. They are her driving force to do good things for others. Having received and outpouring of love and support during her darkest hours has motivated her to give back every chance she gets. As a result they created a non-profit named Joanna's Place.
Joanna's Place offers grief support groups to local families during their time of need. Also, Offering
various support groups for kids and families in the hopes of giving children coping skills necessary to
work through difficult times.
joannasplace.org
Jason Farrar
Jason is a life long Weymouth Resident and Weymouth High School Graduate Class 1996. He is a Veteran of the Marine Corps, 1996-2000 and a Gold Star Brother. Jason serves on the Weymouth Fire Department as a 12 year Veteran. Jason is happily married with three beautiful children.
The Color Run is designed to engage the entire student body and Weymouth community in a fitness initiative that encourages life-long habits of health and well-being. This color walk/run features a 1 mile course at Southfield. During the race, participants are doused with color at one of 8 color stations, ending with one final color run celebration at the finish line. Though the event is being run by the Thomas W. Hamilton Parent Council, this event is open to all Weymouth families.
Register online with the link below.
WEYFEST is intended to support and promote anything and everything that is positive about our town! Our civic, school, religious and youth sports groups are the fabric that weaves us together as a unit! If your group fits this description you are officially invited to attend WEYFEST and be a part of our Community Group village. Please join the current list of attendees that range from the Weymouth High School Music Boosters to Coops Troops to the New England Wildlife Center!
All qualified groups will be offered a 10’ x 10' booth space to promote, create awareness, educate, enlist, fund raise, or just have fun! Fundraising can come in the form of raffles, apparel sales, and/or secondary concession sales in the form of traditional festival treats ie Popcorn, Ice Cream, Cotton Candy, et al. (Town Permits may be required for raffles and concessions sales.) All concession sales opp’s will be managed and approved on a request basis as determined by WEYFEST.
Operating hours will be 11AM – 2PM. If your group would like to display later than 2P – Secondary Concessionaire’s may consider this viability - let us know and we’ll try to accommodate. Power will not be provided by WEYFEST. Power will be provided by the requesting organization. There is no cost of entry and each Community org will retain all receipts. Deadline for booth requests is June 3, 2016. Final concessions approval and notification will be June 7.
Sgt. Jim St. Croix of the Weymouth Police Department has assembled a world Class Touch a Truck that’s big….and keeps getting bigger! Here’s a current list of participants…thanks Sgt Jim! Operating Hours are 11AM - 2PM
Let’s get ready to rumble! Weymouth Police has the pitching….Weymouth Fire has the hitting…and both squads are ramping up for a fun filled Whiffle Ball game hosted at Little Fenway at Southfield! Scheduled to begin at noon to coincide with the end of the Color Run, please plan on attending to support this showdown for bragging rights!
To celebrate our amazing affiliation with Olympic Day 2016 we have renamed our traditional Field Day components “Olympic Day Field Events”! We are excited to report that Weymouth Recreation Department’s Steve Reilly’s awesome and able staff will be administering this old fashioned slice of Americana to create the type of memories so many of us recall so joyously from our youths.
The goal of these offerings is to continue with the theme of a “hometown” event and provide lots of fun! Weymouth Olympian, and hometown hero, Tim Sweeney will be positioned in this activity area to greet all participants at the conclusion of their event and will be available to greet and congratulate! Event operating hours will be approximately 11:30AM – 2PM
Among the activities that will be included in our Olympic Day Field Events activity area include but are not limited to:
Additionally, will offer an activity for children with special needs!
Tim Sweeney
Tim Sweeney played hockey for Boston College (1985–89). He led the Eagles in scoring his senior year with 73 points as the team advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals. Sweeney was selected 122nd overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. In his first year after college, the 1989–90 season, he won the International Hockey League's Ken McKenzie Trophy for Rookie of the Year.
Sweeney played for the Calgary Flames, the Boston Bruins, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the New York Rangers in the NHL. In his career, he appeared in 291 NHL games, scoring 55 goals and 138 points. Sweeney was a top producer for the 1992 US Olympic Men’s Hockey team’s Albertville, France games and finished his professional hockey career in 1999. Tim is a native of North Weymouth, MA.
Senator Patrick O'Connor
A 2003 graduate of Weymouth High School, Patrick became a Town Councilor when he was just 21 years-old. He has served the town in this capacity for the past 10 years and became President of the Weymouth Town Council in January 2014. He was recently elected as State Senator, replacing Mayor Hedlund in the district Senate seat he held for 22 years.
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards is an American Luger who competed in the 1990's. He finished fourth in the men's doubles event at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.
Prior to his luge career, Edwards was a high school All-American in American football and was a top recruit courted by many prestigious colleges to play. Edwards today lives in Calgary and is vice president of Olympic luge for the Canadian Luge Association. He is married and with his wife runs Cushy Life, a bedding and drapery company. Jonathan was born March 28, 1972 in Weymouth, Massachusetts where his mother still resides!
Jerry Thornton
Jerry Thornton appears daily as the third man in on The Dale & Holley Show and is the author of the Thornography blog on WEEI.com. In addition, Jerry is a standup comic who won the Boston Comedy Riot competition and has worked colleges and clubs all around New England. He has appeared on HBO's Emmy Award-winning "Curse of the Bambino" and Comcast Sports New England and has written for ColdHardFootballFacts.com. Prior to coming to WEEI full-time, Jerry was a writer for BarstoolSports.com. Jerry is a native of Weymouth, MA
Charlie Coyle
Charlie played for Weymouth High School during his freshman year and helped the Wildcat varsity hockey team to their first ever finals appearance at the TD Garden. Coyle's amateur career continued at Thayer Academy and Boston University.
Charlie was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and was later traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2012. In the 2015-16 season, Coyle was second on the team in goals scored. He set personal bests in goals, assists, and points, breaking the 20-goal plateau.
Danielle Niles "Hi everybody! Due to prior scheduling commitments I can't be there to help celebrate with you personally at this festival of all that is good about our hometown - but I know you're all going to have a blast! I look forward to seeing you at a future WEYFEST and on the air at WBZ-TV! There's no place like home!"
*Danielle is a graduate of Weymouth Highschool
Larry Bird’s got one. So does Paul Pierce, Stef Curry and Klay Thompson! What? A long distance game and a 3 Point shooting Crown! Think you’ve got a shot? Think you’ve got what it takes to wear the crown? WEYFEST is looking for Weymouth’s best 3 Point shooters as we host the 1st Annual WEYFEST 3 Point Shootout! At each of the three (3) shooting stations will be a rack with basketballs. The goal of this contest is to score as many points as possible within one minute. Top scorers will be recognized and rewarded at the conclusion of the 11AM – 2PM operating hours with a Semi-Final and Finals showdown. Age and gender categories will be determined based on participants. Event location at outdoor courts on Shea Memorial drive. Pre - registration is not required but will offer participant preferred placement. There is a $5 fee to shoot payable upon participation.
Larry Bird’s got one. So does Paul Pierce, Stef Curry and Klay Thompson! What? A long distance game and a 3 Point shooting Crown! Think you’ve got a shot? Think you’ve got what it takes to wear the crown? WEYFEST is looking for Weymouth’s best 3 Point shooters as we host the 1st Annual WEYFEST 3 Point Shootout! Participants attempt to make as many three-point field goals as possible from three positions behind the three-point arc. Players begin shooting from one corner of the court, and move from station to station along the three point arc until they reach the other corner. At each shooting station is a rack with basketballs. The goal of this contest is to score as many points as possible within one minute. Top scorers will be recognized and rewarded at the conclusion of the 11AM – 2PM operating hours. Event location at outdoor courts on Shea Memorial drive. Pre - registration is not required but will offer participant preferred placement. There is a $5 fee to shoot payable upon participation.
At the conclusion of the Olympic Day Field Events, this event space will transition to a variety of fun and more adult activities. Cornhole, is an American lawn game in which players take turns throwing bean bags at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. A bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point. Play continues until a team or player reaches the score of 21. Stop by with a Team Member to challenge your neighbors! More fun events to be announced relative to this defined area!
Start loosening up - your arm and your ad libs! It’s ready, aim, fire as you’ll take three shots at soaking a variety of town leaders as they’re perched precariously and nervously waiting for the trap door to drop…all the while heckling you and harassing during your delivery! If your aim is true it’ll be up to you in determining who gets the last laugh! $5 fee to toss!
Come witness an opportunity to see all of the great work our local law enforcement does with their dedicated, highly trained, and amazing dogs! From picking up on a particular scent out of a large crowd, differentiating between various scents to various skill sets and techniques, this educational awareness program and demonstration explains the role of a police K-9 and handler as well as their varied duties.
The Weymouth High School Jazz Band is just one of several musical initiatives being administered under the direction of Ms. Kathleen Kenny at WHS along with the Concert Band, Concert Choir, and Community Band. All of these dedicated groups offer passionate students, faculty, parents, and residents a local connection to inspired musical performances.
The WHS Jazz Band is comprised entirely of current students who deliver an amazing level of ability along with an entertaining combination both classic and contemporary melodies! Currently scheduled to appear on the Main Stage from Noon to 12:30PM.
All Saints Color Guard (ASCG) from Weymouth is an independent winter guard comprised of girls and boys from all over the South Shore. We are members of the New England Scholastic Band Association (Nesba) and are 2016 Nesba C Guard Champions. ASCG is looking for new members to join our team. Visit allsaintscolorguard.com or on Facebook to learn more.
BOKS launched in October 2009 when founder Kathleen Tullie rallied a small-but-dedicated group of passionate moms armed with a mission, a simple idea and whistles – to inspire their own kids to get moving and boost their academic performance! Today, Kathleen and her teamwork alongside Reebok have grown BOKS to more than 1,200 schools in 48 states and six countries.
Studies show that kids who exercise see significant boosts in intelligence-test scores and core subjects at school, compared to their inactive peers.
The Hamilton School’s Lisa O’Brien is coordinating Weymouth schoolchildren from throughout the town currently enrolled in a Boks class and will demonstrate what a session looks like with a 30 minute fun interactive Boks class on the Main Stage from 12:30 - 1PM! Anyone can join in at any time!! Just jump in and see what all the fun is all about!
Danny Klein is now involved in a new project called Danny Klein's Full House. The band is "a celebration of the music of The J. Geils Band". This is classic J Geils Band material with the unique sound that a group of veteran and talented musicians brings to it. Not your mama's cover band, for sure!
The band features Danny Klein (bass), Mike Lamm (lead vocals) Steve Gouette (guitar and vocals), Dave Quintiliani (keyboards and vocals), Pete Hackel (drums and vocals), Rosy Rosenblatt (harp), John Vanderpool (sax), Garret Savluk (trumpet) and special guests George Leh (vocals), Mike Girard of The Fools (vocals), Hirsh Gardner (drums and vocals) and James Montgomery (harp and vocals).
The Infractions are a cover band that has been playing in and around the north east since 1988 and are still booked at multiple festivals and concerts each year. Renowned for their tight delivery and amazing horn section, the current lineup is: Brian Stratton on bass, keys and vocals, Ronnie Caggiano on drums and vocals, Tony Rocks on guitar and vocals, Ken Reid on sax and percussion, Jeff Classen on trumpet with Derek Gunn and Jeff Rosen on percussion.
Members:
Like a Pheonix rising from the ashes of self imposed exile, The Weymouth Rock and Rollers collectively known as Bald Walter are primed to once again get the audience dancing. Longtime denizens of the South Shore and Boston nightclub scene, Bald Walter aims to keep you dancing , cranking out classic to current rock and pop covers played with gusto and a mind to keeping faithful to the original artists. Bald Walter also has two acclaimed C.D.’s of original music from which they may surprise with a fan favorite or two.
Featuring Kevin Reilly, the other longtime members Doug Hefler, Mike Iamele and Kirk Isaksen are joined by new addition Dave Haugh. Bald Walter has the benefit of twenty years of musical collaboration and friendship to draw on. Come, join the party!
WINNER OF BOSTON NIGHTLIFE AWARDS "BEST BAR BAND of 2012" The whole spectrum: from hard rock, to funk, to the hits of today. Rocking New England 15 years and running....
Founded in 2003 by Joe Cunio with his musical counterpart, Mike DiBona, and keyboard wunderkind, Owen Daley, Faded Halo has run the gamut of musical genres and lineups.
Vocalist/bassist Marianne Anderson rounded off the foursome out of the gate, but other commitments required her to move on. This void remained until the six-stringing sonic sociopath Bill Carter joined the fray. Sharing the stage with Cunio and DiBona the decade before in Disruptor / Double Barrel / ShadowBox / Article5 / Vesuvius, Carter was the missing puzzle piece.
The four horsemen of the musicopalypse played the 'grand tour' of the South Shore of Boston. Selling out the Beachcomber in Quincy, Mari's Place in Quincy, ToBasCo in Weymouth, Basta in Weymouth. After a very successful run, Daley moved on to new creative endeavors.
Trying to take a new direction, forces were joined with Vocalist/ Saxophonist extraordinaire Tim George and bass guitar wizard Sam Katz, both of the legendary South Shore Ensemble - "The Sons of Blues".
After dozens of venue-filling shows, George had to move on due to a relocation... and Katz joined up with the hugely successful americana band "Dan and the Wildfire".
Nothing... can stop the Halo...
Bassmaster Chris Hetherington joined forces with the rebel alliance adding thundering theatrical bass lines coupled with a sultry baratone voice. All seemed to be going "full steam ahead"... when the iceburg hit... Hetherington had to move out of state...
A setback... yes... the end... HELL NO.
After a short hiatus, the Halo rose again. Long-time friend and co-conspirator of the band (performed with Carter in Thunderstud), Norman Chipman was available... and joined the darkside.
With new dimensions of keyboard prowess coupled with fantastic top register vocals.... the lineup has been forged.
and so it is...
and so it shall be...
Mayor Hedlund’s mandatory musical insertion, All Mod Cons is the Boston based preeminent “The Jam” tribute band! Distinctly representing The Clash’s primary competitor during the rocking English 80’s, All Mod Cons brings the noise and calamity those two revolutionary acts offered as they attempted to change the world through smart song writing and an action packed delivery!
Mariachi band Mexico Lindo is composed of seasoned musicians that one day decided to come together to offer the best of the compiled catalogue of Mexican Music to all audiences. Mexico Lindo incorporates the hot rhythm of Latin music which, when linked to the music of these sons of Mexico create a lively and contagious sound!
Ride em cowboy and cowgirl! Whether your a city slicker or 4H member, take a spin on WEYFEST's very own mechanical bull! Warning! She don't take to kindly to folks trying to saddle up and ride. Get ready to hit the trail and find how comfortable you are as you try to head home from the range! Our bull ride requires a $5 fee.
Weymouth resident Megan Parker is a former Guinness World Record holder for largest bubble blown! Megan will be demonstrating her fantastic bubble abilities while offering hands on interaction for young and old alike! Please come join the fun with Megan on the festival lawn from 11AM - 2PM!
Look! Up in the sky! It's not a bird or plane....it's the Massachusetts State Police Helicopter arriving at WEYFEST! Many thanks to our State Police for visiting and helping to kick start our festival with a fly in on the festival seating area! Currently scheduled for an 11:30AM landing, come feel the power and witness the majesty of these incredible flying machines!
The Shea Naval Aviation Museum will be open for the day for WEYFEST visitors. Located inside the Shea Fitness Center gymnasium building, the museum is tended by veterans and historians familiar with the history of old NAS South Weymouth and its Quincy predecessor, NAS Squantum. Come see historic photos and artifacts on display associated with both bases. Highlights include a short video that celebrates the history of our beloved base. Admission is free.
Find out when and where our events are happening!
South Shore Bank is the WEYFEST 2016 Title Sponsor. WEYFEST is offering Presenting Sponsorships on a category exclusivity basis. Sponsorship elements can include but are not limited to on and off premise promotional consideration. WEYFEST will be limiting marketing partnerships. The WEYFEST Committee has applied for 5013C Charity status.
South Shore Bank is proud to be the Title Sponsor of WeyFest! The Bank shares a long history with the South Shore region of Massachusetts, including Weymouth. Although the name South Shore Bank began in 1997 with the merger of Weymouth Savings Bank and South Weymouth Savings Bank, they were originally chartered by the General and Honorable Court of the Commonwealth in 1833 as the Weymouth and Braintree Institution for Savings. South Shore Bank has a proud heritage of commitment to the communities they serve as a South Shore Massachusetts Bank.
Sign up for our newsletter and stay updated about WeyFest news, event participants and ways you can help out!
