The Eliza J. Norton Foundation will host its annual Celebrate with Heart Community Festival on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 1–4 p.m. at the Cochituate Ball Fields. Since 2023, the festival has brought more than a thousand residents together each year for a day of fun, food, and friendship in memory of Eliza Norton, a Wayland child remembered for her energy, humor, and love of sports.
Founded in 2022, the Eliza J. Norton Foundation (EJNF) was established to continue Eliza’s legacy by expanding access to athletics and community activities for children. Its mission centers on three goals: empowering children to stand up for one another, enabling play by investing in community spaces, and expanding access to the game Eliza loved most: ice hockey.
The festival is free and open to residents of all ages. Families will find food trucks, carnival games, sports clinics, crafts, face painting, music, and live entertainment. Local high school students play a central role, leading many of the activities and fundraising for their school programs. This year, on-site donations will go directly to student groups and athletic teams to support the 2025–26 school year.
The event is made possible through the work of volunteers, families, and businesses. Organizers include Wayland residents Risa Burgess, Erica DiRoberto, Jen Gorke, Miti Koopersmith, Gail Saviano, Julie Norton and Mark Norton, along with supporters from neighboring towns. They describe the day as not only a festival but also a living tribute to Eliza’s joy, competitiveness, and team spirit.
Beyond the festival, EJNF’s impact can be seen across town. The foundation helped build dugouts at the Cochituate ball fields through a partnership with the town, and its Play with Heart hockey tournaments have raised $20,000 in scholarships for children to play team sports. Its Read with Heart initiative has distributed more than 300 books to students from Wayland to Boston and beyond, promoting teamwork and resilience.
For Wayland, the Celebrate with Heart Festival has become more than just an afternoon of games and entertainment. It is a day where neighbors, students, and businesses come together to support one another and honor Eliza’s legacy. With groups like the Wayland Post and local entrepreneurs contributing, the festival highlights how the town continues to turn loss into community strength and joy.
The Wayland Post will host a table at the festival in partnership with The Villa and Abigail’s Baking, a new local venture by Wayland resident Abigail Holtzman. Known for her passion for classic techniques and fresh flavors, Holtzman recently launched her business out of The Villa. She will share samples alongside the Post donation station as part of the day’s community spirit.
Registration is encouraged so organizers can prepare for the hundreds of children expected to attend. More information is available at elizajnortonfoundation.org.
