B ack in June, fun and inventive sneaker sculptures started showing up at some of your favorite businesses around Ridgefield – from Keough’s Paint & Hardware on Rte 7 and stretching from Fairfield County Bank’s location on the corner of Rte 35 and Farmingville Road all the way to the Benjamin Restaurant. Our local businesses have sponsored and been a home for this amazing community art event executed by ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative and brought to you by the Ridgefield Running Company.
Not only is it fun to visit all of the sneaker sculpture locations, but you can also participate in the two amazing events in September.
First, Fairfield County Bank is hosting the Fairfield County Bank Fitness Expo on Saturday, September 7th. This event will feature not only some of our amazing sponsors as vendors, but other businesses around town as well. There will be classes and demonstrations throughout the day, along with refreshments for sale. Although the focus will be on fitness, there will be lots of other things to do at the Expo, such as improv lessons with The Ridgefield Theater Barn.
On September 6th and 7th, you can also participate in the “Run Around Town” scavenger hunt on Main Street and the surrounding areas. You will have to look high and low for twelve pairs of WEARABLE sneakers that have been decorated and hidden in Ridgefield businesses. Scavenger Hunt Maps will be available at the RPAC Art Center, now located at 410 Main Street. There will be prizes for the participants who complete the task of finding all 12 and bring their stamped map back to the RPAC Art Center. Local business will also be offering specials during the scavenger hunt. Don’t miss out on this weekend of fun while you get to view the sneaker sculptures one last time.
After September 7th, the sneaker sculptures will be removed and transported to the Benjamin Restaurant for the “Just for KICKS” Auction Event on Tuesday, September 24th. The “Just For KICKS” Auction will take place from 6pm – 9pm and will include heavy d’oeuvres and drinks. Wear your best “KICKS” outfit – dress is casual and lace up your favorite or most colorful sneakers. We will also be collecting gently loved sneakers to donate to young athletes that cannot afford new athletic shoes. Tickets are $65.00 per person and can be purchased at www.artfulgives.org. Bidding will close for good at 8:00pm, after which the sculptures find their way home with the highest bidder.
All the money raised benefits the ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative, which supports scholarships and grants for artists, and KICKS 4 Kids, which provides athletic shoes to students in need.
If you want a souvenir, the KICKS SCULPTURE CATALOG is now available for only $30.00. You can buy the catalog online at https://www.silentauctionpro.com/bidonlinegrid.php?groupId=1845 or visit the RPAC Art Center at 410 Main Street.
We hope to see you around at these KICKIN’ Events and appreciate our sponsors, our volunteers, bidders and future winners, our vendors, our artists and of course…The Best KICKIN’ Community of Ridgefield!
Find out more at www.artfulgives.org•
