Experience Ridgefield Set for This Saturday, September 24

RSD

September 20, 2016

Ridgefield students are busy putting the final touches on Experience Ridgefield, a community carnival conceived to celebrate the hometown spirit that Ridgefield is known for throughout the region. Experience Ridgefield will take place at Ridgefield High School (2630 S. Hillhurst Road) from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Experience Ridgefield was developed and organized by students in the district’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC). A dozen students, representing each of the district’s four schools, meet monthly with Dr. Nathan McCann, Ridgefield’s superintendent, to provide advice and feedback to McCann. Each year they are also asked to work on a project that contributes to the betterment of the community.

Experience Ridgefield was born from that concept. Gwen Harris, an eighth-grader, and a member of the SSAC is proud of all the work she and her colleagues have invested in creating Experience Ridgefield.


“As a group, we have been working hard on making Experience Ridgefield a memorable event for the whole community. I am excited to help with this event and extremely excited to help supervise the free childcare we are providing for all toddlers to 5- year olds,” Harris said.

The students ensured the event would include activities for every interest. Harris pointed out some of the highlights, which include a game truck, laser tag, athletic skills stations, arts and crafts, dance and music performances, many food vendors, and much more.

Experience Ridgefield’s theme is Past, Present, and Future and the students worked hard to honor the community’s proud past. The event includes such activities as a Mr. Potato Head contest that will use real potatoes and potato sack races.

Wyatt Holbrook, a sixth-grade member, added, “We committed to making sure there were events and activities for everyone in the community. I’m proud of what we have accomplished and believe it captures Ridgefield’s spirit. And I’m really proud that my family’s business, Holbrook Concrete Construction, has been a part in helping make this event a reality.”

Students dedicated multiple monthly meetings to brainstorming ideas that would adequately capture everything they love about Ridgefield. The group settled on Experience Ridgefield as the event title, determined to host an event that was highly interactive and representative of everything that makes Ridgefield unique.

The students participated heavily in recruiting the vendors, marketing and promoting the event, and securing sponsorships.

“I’m very proud of the work put in by all the students to create a large-scale community event that celebrates the spirit and pride that makes Ridgefield such a wonderfully unique place to live,” said McCann.

More than 40 vendors will be participating in Experience Ridgefield. Holbrook Concrete Construction is the event’s lead sponsor, with assistance from The Historic Sportsman’s Steakhouse and Saloon.


In addition to all the food, music, and fun, the Ridgefield Family Resource Center (RFRC) is sponsoring a “Stuff the Bus” campaign at the event. The RFRC is in need of personal hygiene items, non-perishable food, and new coats.

Families will be able to complete the day’s activities by enjoying the movie Back to the Future under the stars at the football stadium.