Date: 9/29/2023
Tags: Community
Almost two years ago, I organized a committee composed of representatives of our service, civic and social community organizations. We adopted the name, “Darien Action Committee,” and our goal has always been to bring our community groups together in service to the City of Darien. While our efforts have been successful in so many ways, we are most proud, when our planning leads to enhancing existing events (Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony), or in planning new activities or services, (our Community Calendar).
This past January, we discussed upcoming events for the year and came upon the idea of instituting an Oktoberfest Celebration as an adjunct to the City’s concert series. At the conclusion of our meeting, Mike Falco, then President of the Darien Lions Club approached me saying that he really felt that the City, working with the Lions Club and several of the other groups could really bring this to fruition. I shared this idea with city staff, and we made a commitment to assisting financially and with city services. Lion Falco organized a committee that included April Padalik, Chamber Executive Director representing the city, and they worked diligently to present a great day of food, music, games and entertainment for our residents.
If you came out this last Saturday. September 23 to the Carriage Greens North Parking lot, you saw anywhere between 1,000 to 1,200 participants joining the Darien Youth Club for an afternoon of BINGO, or competing in the Darien Swim and Recreation Clubs Corn hole Tournament, or watched their children enjoy the “bouncy house,” while still others waited in line for the face painting artist. If not participating in any of these events, patrons were enjoying the German style food and drink presented by the Darien Lions Club, and relaxed listing to the music presented by two great musical groups.
Events such as this don’t occur without the work and cooperation of city staff with each of the groups that participated in the event. Many thanks to Lion Mike Falco, the Darien Lions, and the Darien Woman’s Club, the Darien Youth Club, the Darien Swim and Recreation Club, the Darien Public Works team and the Darien Chamber of Commerce. The success of our Oktoberfest was due to the work of each of these groups to whom I say with deepest gratitude for your commitment to serve, I thank you on behalf of the City of Darien and the people we serve.