Beautiful sunny weather brought hundreds of local residents and others to the Ridgefield Summerfest 2012 and "Chair-ish Ridgefield" fundraiser on Saturday, July 21.
"We raised over $10,000 at this event," said .
Various local vendors, community organizations and political groups had tents lining Main Street and Bailey Avenue, which was closed to traffic for the event. They sold merchandise, offered information, classes and fun activities for children too. Face painting and balloon animals seemed most popular with the young, as was the juggler.
Sidewalk restaurants were filled, and street vendors sold hot dogs, lobster rolls and ice cold drinks.
A variety of entertainment was provided on a stage in the large main tent, and included music, dance, martial arts, zumba, and more.
The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce "Chair-ish Ridgefield" fundraiser event had more than 60 Adirondack chairs on display on Bailey Avenue. Chairs were designed and/or donated by local businesses and individuals.
The idea for the Chair-ish Ridgefield fundraiser was developed under team leader Chairperson Nancy O'Connell, through committee brainstorming, said Roth, who also gave credit to Chamber Office Manager Suzanne Brennan.
Roth said much help also came from Ridgefield Boy Scout Troop 431 which assembled the chairs, picked them up and delivered them with Adam Lussier and Father David. The chairs were assembled at .
Crowds grew as people viewed and bid on the chairs in a silent auction
from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. The bid on the chair donated by went up to $500.
The Adirondack chairs were judged by Ridgefield Rudy Marconi, and Tracy Moore, Education Director of the , and Antonio Munoz of the .
The winning chairs went on to a live auction at 7 p.m that was held right before the CHIRP concert featuring Roosevelt Dime. The auctioneer was Allison Stockel, Executive Director of the .
Academy-Award nominated actor Robert Vaughn made a personal appearance at the live auction to sign the chair designed and created by David Brown; the chair had a Vaughn theme and won in the "creative" category and sold for $400 to Allison Stockel.
Roth said the funds raised from this event will go to Destination Ridgefield, a project to promote tourism and show that Ridgefield has a strong cultural presence in the community. The project's slogan: "It's a Wonderful Town."
"The Destination Ridgefield committee has been working on the idea for five years. We have used focus groups and are working on putting together a tourist website. Eventually we aim for a physical tourist center with staff seven days a week. More ideas to come," said Roth. "We have successfully achieved our goal of meeting the expenses for Phase One of Destination Ridgefield, which is to set up a tourism website."
Winners of the Chair-ish Ridgefield contest were chosen in several categories:
Best in Show
"Maurice Sendak Chair" by Susie Buckley, Ridgefield
Ridgefield Spirit (two winners)
Karen Griffith,
Donated By , Ridgefield Ct.
, Ridgefield Ct.
Creative
, Ridgefield Ct.
Prettiest (two winners)
Designs by Claire
Donated by
Lounsbury House, Ridgefield Ct.
, Ridgefield Ct.
Funniest
Dan McKee, Brookfield, Ct.
Originality
David Brown
Donated by , Ridgefield Ct.
