Over 5,500 people gathered at Veteran’s Park on Sunday, May 31st, for the second annual Ridgefield Town Party presented by the Ridgefield Playhouse. With sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s, residents enjoyed an afternoon filled with music, entertainment, family fun, and community celebration.
Before The Head and The Heart took the stage, guests enjoyed food trucks, family-friendly activities, and live performances from local groups including the Ridgefield Chorale and SPHERE. More than 20 local non-profit organizations were also onsite, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with and learn more about the incredible work being done throughout the Ridgefield community.
The event was created by Ashley Paltauf, Executive Director of the Ridgefield Playhouse, with the vision of bringing the community and Ridgefield Non-Profits together through a free outdoor concert experience supported by local donors and sponsors. “The Head and The Heart was the perfect choice for this event because their music brings people together and creates the kind of uplifting, community atmosphere we hoped to achieve, while creating a shared experience and sense of joy for the entire town,” says Paltauf.
The Head and The Heart are an indie folk band from Seattle known for warm harmonies and heartfelt songwriting. Formed in 2009, they broke out with classics like “Rivers and Roads,” “Lost in My Mind,” “Honeybee,” and “All We Ever Knew.” The band recently joined Brandi Carlile and The Lumineers on tour, and less than a month after their performance in Ridgefield, The Head and The Heart are set to headline a performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater.
“Shout out to Ridgefield Playhouse, for putting on a great festival for the community, this is what we need, thank you for doing this, thank you for having us,” says Charity Rose Thielen of The Head and The Heart.
The Town of Ridgefield was also highly supportive of the event. “The Ridgefield Playhouse is an economic and cultural force for Ridgefield, and giving back to the community in this way is a gift to the town,” says First Selectperson, Rudy Marconi.
As part of the M&T Community Engagement Program, the Ridgefield Town Party was made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsors, The Leir Foundation and Michele & Tom Quindlen, along with many additional donors and community sponsors. “We are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful event and are happy to continue supporting this annual celebration for years to come,” says Tom Quindlen.
Additional event sponsors helped create a fun and interactive experience for guests, including visits to D. Colabella Fine Art Mobile Art Gallery, a picnic area sponsored by East Haven and Ridgefield Building Supply, Mercedes-Benz car displays, and the nostalgic Pepsi Challenge.
If you would like to support events like the Ridgefield Town Party and help the Ridgefield Playhouse continue bringing memorable experiences to the community, please visit the Playhouse website, www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org •
