Ridgefield's Summerfest 2012 Begins Tonight

No question about it—this year’s Ridgefield Summerfest will offer the best seats in the house. The two-day street fair takes over Main St. and Bailey Ave on July 20^th and 21^st. It will feature “Chair-ish Ridgefield,” a community art project that yielded nearly 70 Adirondack chairs custom-decorated by celebrities, groups and artistic individuals. 

“The entries have been amazing,” said Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marion Roth. “Some of the artwork is worthy of the !” 

The chairs will be sold by silent auction during Summerfest, with all proceeds going to support Destination Ridgefield, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Ridgefield. Judges will determine winners in five categories, including funniest, most creative and best-in-show.

 

DANCING IN THE STREET

 

People will be dancing in the street—literally—when Summerfest kicks off Friday evening at 6 PM, with music and dancing behind Town Hall, led by Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Stores and restaurants will be open late for Shop, Dine & Stroll, and Melangé will offer a free wine-tasting from 6-8 PM.

Pop-up art galleries, set up in vacant Main St. storefronts, will offer wine, cheese and the work of local artists and craftspeople. Organized by Mary Louise O’Connell, Executive Director of the the galleries will also be open all day Saturday. “They were a big hit last year and will be even better this year,” she said.

 

SATURDAY: 80 VENDORS, LIVE MUSIC—AND A BEATLES TRIBUTE

 

On Saturday, Bailey Ave. and Main St. from CVS to Catoonah St. will be traffic-free. Eighty vendors will offer all kinds of wares, crafts and food. The entertainment tent will feature top local artists and a performance from Beatles tribute act Sergeant Leffert’s Phony Hearts Club Band (a big hit last year).

At 7 PM, CHIRP will present a special free concert in Ballard Park, featuring the jug-band, New Orleans and neo-folk sounds of the unique Brooklyn-based band Roosevelt Dime. Before the concert, celebrity-designed “Chair-ish Ridgefield” entries, along with the ribbon-winning entries, will be sold at live auction, with the Ridgefield Playhouse’s Allison Stockel presiding. 

“With Chair-ish Ridgefield,” said event organizer Nancy O’Connell, “the best way to stand up for our beautiful town is to take a seat.”

 

THE SCHEDULE

 

FRI

6 PM-9 PM: Dancing with s, behind Town Hall

6-8 PM Wine tasting, , Bailey Ave.

All evening: Shop, Dine & Stroll; Pop-Up Galleries

Plus Chair-ish Ridgefield Silent Auction on Bailey Ave.

 

SAT

10 AM-4 PM: Vendors, Crafts and Pop-Up Galleries on Main St., Bailey Ave. and Catoonah St.

10 AM-4 PM: Chair-ish Ridgefield Silent Auction on Bailey Ave.

10 AM-4 PM: Entertainment under the Tent, Main St., Dave Goldenberg emcee

            10 am-11 am: Zumba with

            11am-noon: Justin & Jake

            Noon-2pm  Jazz, featuring Matt Criscuolo of Piccolo Jazzeria

            1-4pm: Sergeant Leffert’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

7-9 PM: —Chair-ish Ridgefield Live Auction (Allison Stockel, auctioneer) plus CHIRP Concert: Roosevelt Dime

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