Experience Ridgefield - September 24, 2016 | Ridgefield School District

Get ready for some old-fashioned, small-town fun as the Ridgefield School District prepares to host Experience Ridgefield on Saturday, September 24. The community carnival, set to take place at Ridgefield High School from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m., celebrates Ridgefield’s proud past, prosperous present, and promising future.

“We are all very excited for Experience Ridgefield. This is truly an event where there will be something for folks of all ages to enjoy. We have numerous food vendors, live music on the main stage, games and activities, including a Game Truck, Laser Tag, gymnastics, flag football, a golf chipping station, potato sack races, inflatables, arts and crafts, many exhibits and displays, Mr. Potato Head contest, and much more,” said Bonnie Harris.

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. The Ridgefield School Board, led by Board members Scott Gullickson and Joe Vance, were looking for a way to bring the community together at a district-hosted event. McCann turned to the SSAC students to develop the carnival, and they certainly delivered.

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 have also been heavily involved in recruiting the vendors, event marketing and promotion, 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.

"I'm grateful for the generosity of our partnering sponsors and the many local businesses, civic groups, and public entities that are supporting Experience Ridgefield," said McCann.