Open Doors’ community closet is a ‘free store’ where households in need can shop for seasonal clothing, shoes, and household necessities. Everything in the community closet is donated by our neighbors in order to provide quality wardrobes and goods for people dealing with poverty and homelessness.  Over the years, the donors and volunteers of the Rowayton Civic Association's Bundle Up Rowayton donation drive have provided thousands of essential items to help our neighbors stay safe and warm in the cold winter months.

If you're interested in learning about other ways to connect with Open Doors, please visit their website at https://opendoorsct.org or email info@opendoorsct.org.  

Below is a list of their most needed items, and make sure to check out their Amazon wish list HERE!

See you on November 2nd!

- heavy winter coats for adults and children, all sizes

- winter snowsuits and warm layers for babies

- warm gloves for adults and children

- warm hats for adults and children

- boots and sturdy shoes for adults and children, all sizes

- new underwear for all ages and sizes

- ​new thermal underwear for men, all sizes (particularly small and medium)

- hoodies for all ages and sizes (especially men's small and medium)

- jeans for all ages and sizes

We are also looking for volunteers with trucks and SUVs to help transport donations.

To volunteer or for any other questions please contact David Lane.

Don’t miss our first ever, FALL FEST, at The Community Center on October 5th from 12:00pm-5:00pm. See below for more details on the day and click below to purchase tickets!

ENTERTAINMENT!

-12:00pm: School of Rock Band

-1:30pm: DJ Bubble Show

-3:00pm: Juice Box Band

FOOD & DRINK!

-Beer & Wine Tent

-3 Food Trucks: Pizza, Tacos, BBQ

-Ice Cream Truck

-Apple Cider Table

ACTIVITIES!

-Petting Zoo

-Pony Rides

-Bracelet Making

-Corn Hole

POTTING SHED ACTIVITIES!

-Gnome Hunt

-Temporary Tattoos

-Butterfly Crafts: headbands, clothespin dragonflies, paper plate bugs

-Terrariums

-Nature Scavenger Hunt

Real Painted Lady Butterflies

PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING FOR A PORTION OF THE DAY! As you know, these events take a village!

Celebrate the end of the summer with the annual Arthur J. Ladrigan Swim Races and Family Fun Day at Bayley Beach. We’ll start the swim races with the Lighthouse Race (a one-mile swim from Green’s Ledge Lighthouse to shore). Check-in for Lighthouse Race swimmers and their kayak escorts will start at 7:30 AM. At 8 AM shuttle boats will begin taking swimmers to the light, where they can view the amazing renovations done over the last five years, and enjoy light refreshments. The race will be started by the Lighthouse foghorn promptly at 9:30.

Simultaneous with the Lighthouse Race is the Buoy Race (a swim from the buoy to the shore). Last but certainly not least, are the non-timed Children’s Swim Races, which are grouped by age and run parallel to the beach.

After the awards ceremony, all are invited to join in the traditional beach games, including tug-of-war, a pie-eating contest and an egg toss!

Lighthouse Shuttle Boat Transport

Boats will begin transporting swimmers to Greens Ledge Light beginning at 8 AM. Early arrivals can enjoy light refreshments and marvel at the amazing restoration done by the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society.

The last boat will depart at 9 AM. This boat will also drop off Bouy Race swimmers on its return trip to the beach.

Pre-Race Check In

Check in will begin at 7:30 at Bayley Beach, and remain open until the last boat leaves for the Light at 9. Please bring your confirmation or final instruction email, either printed out or on your phone, and show the QR code to a volunteer to be issued your timing chip and swim cap.

Ladrigan Swim Race Schedule

7:30-8:45 am - Swimmer check in

8:00 am - First boat to lighthouse (if you are out early, you will have the opportunity to tour the lighthouse)

9:00 am - Last boat out to lighthouse and to the buoy for those swimmers

9:30 am - Start of race

Kids swim races and games to follow.

This is a wildly fun RCA event that has become a Labor Day tradition. Grab some friends and have some fun on the beach!  The tournament is open to non-experienced players and families as well as teams stacked with setters, hitters, blockers and a libero! 

As part of the Labor Day Weekend festivities, the RCA will host the 5th Annual Co-ed Volleyball Tournament. The Tournament will take place on August 31st at Bayley Beach, starting at 10:00AM. Teams will compete for bragging rights in a fun, pool play format tournament followed by the final beach concert of the Summer Music Festival. 6 players on the court with a minimum of 2 women. All players at least 14 years old. 

YOUR GUIDE TO RIVER RAMBLE 2024

Rowayton, are you ready for the biggest RCA event of Summer? Oysters, BBQ, beer, a silent and live auction for amazing local experiences, local vendors and a live band for parents. A dunk tank, water slides, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, snow cones and games with prizes for kids!

RIVER RAMBLE AUCTION

Opens: 7/5 at 10:00AM

Close: 7/13 at 3:00PM

REGISTER HERE by clicking on the ‘Register' button. Follow the instructions to complete registration.

OR SCAN THIS QR CODE TO VISIT THE RIVER RAMBLE AUCTION PAGE!

TICKETS

Click below for discount tickets for this year’s River Ramble. Pre-sale prices are discounted 20% until Monday July 8th. $40 will get you 50 tickets, $80 will get you 100 tickets etc. All ticket pre-sales are non-refundable and non-replaceable! Tickets can also be picked up the day of at the ticket tent. Prices go up the day of the event, so avoid the lines and get your tickets early!

VOLUNTEER

Did you know that the River Ramble is run by an all volunteer team? And not just RCA volunteers, everyone in town lends a hand to make this a magical event and/or bakes for the Cake Walk! Take a spot today!

Join us at Bayley Beach as the fireworks light up the sky starting at 9pm! Start off the evening with Funke Your Face, Juice Box and special guests, starting at 4:30 @ Bayley Beach.

Calling all runners! Whether you are the Hare or the Turtle, bring out the whole family or friends to participate in the 43rd annual RCA Father’s Day Fun Run.

The event will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16th. Check in will begin at 8:30am. Please register in advance using the link below.

Choose from the 2.2 mile short course or the 4.4 mile long course. Children aged 15 and under may only run the short course, and an adult must accompany any children nine or under.

We look forward to seeing Rowayton show their patriotism as our beloved Memorial Day Parade returns on Sunday, May 26th at noon. We march in rain or shine. Choose a spot along McKinley Street or Rowayton Avenue to cheer on our veterans, firefighters, police officers, local little league players, nursery schools, and more! This is a time honored tradition that finishes at Veteran’s Canon to honor those who died serving our country. Don't forget to save room for hotdogs at the Rowayton Fire Department following the parade! For more information, email Jerry Allen at jerry_allen78@yahoo.com.

Join the RCA and Historic Rowayton at the Rowayton Community Center to help clean up our town! This event is a great way to get your family together, get outside, and get moving towards a cleaner planet. Kids of all ages are encouraged to participate.

You'll be given trash bags and assigned a territory – Please bring all trash bags back to the Community Center so we can record how much was collected.

We are hoping for record turnout this year, so please help us spread the word and clean up our special town. We will be out there until 1 p.m. so come after Sunday sports! Bring a to-go mug for some coffee or hot chocolate and donuts!

Join us at the RCA’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th. With over 600 children in attendance some years, there are three time slots to choose from; 9am, 10am, 11am! Bring your baskets and happy hunting! :-)

Please check in by 15-min before your time slot as each hunt will begin promptly on the hour at the official start time.  Please contact Jeff Ortolano with any questions, and make sure to tag us on social media @rowaytoncivicassociation during and after the event!

This year, instead of coats, the RCA will be collecting specific items requested by Open Door Shelter.  Below is a list of times that the shelter is in desperate need of. Feel free to scour your closets or shop our Bundle Up Amazon List. RCA board members and Community volunteers will sort and deliver all donations to The Open Door Shelter.

High Need Items
Sock (new) / all sizes
Underwear (new) all genders/ all sizes *Men prefer boxer briefs
Winter gloves / adult sized
Mens Jeans 
Mens shoes and boots
Children’s coats, hats & gloves (gently used or new)

General Need Items
New and like-new in season clothes, all ages and sizes
New and like-new shoes, all ages and sizes
New underclothes and socks, all ages and sizes
New and like-new accessories, purses and book bags
New and like-new bed linens and towels (new pillows only)
New and like-new household (dish-ware, cutlery, pots & pans etc. / No furniture, please)
New toiletries (toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, nail clippers etc.) and sanitary items
As many reusable shopping bags as you can spare

We are also looking for volunteers with trucks and SUVs to help transport donations.

To volunteer or for any other questions please contact David Lane

Join us again in Pinkney Park on Saturday, December 9th at 6:00pm as the RCA Nativity Pageant returns under the direction of Laura Czegledi.  

This family event is a wonderful way to experience the joy of Christmas with your neighbors and friends. The evening will feature local performers, live music, clergy, and docile animals. 

Volunteers Needed!

There are still rolls (non speaking) available as “Townspeople” as wll as Wisemen / Wisepeople (and their Parent age Handler), if your 5th-7th grade child wants to be a part of the show. Help is always appreciated for the set-up and breakdown of the pageant set as well. Set-up starts at 9:00am on Saturday December 10th at Pinkney Park and breakdown will be immediately following the show at 7pm.

For more information or to volunteer, email Alex Sparkman.

Come one, Come all and Come to the Light!

**Please also stop by The Gardeners & RCA Christmas Tree Sale on Sunday, December 10th at 9:00am at Pinkney Park!  We will have 60 x 6-7' Balsam Fir trees available for purchase.

Santa will be making his annual visit to Rowayton aboard his big red fire engine sleigh on Sunday, December 3rd. Residents are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card to one of our stops listed below. If you are unable to make the event but would still like donate, please visit our Amazon Toy Drive list to select a toy or two.  The Rowayton fire fighters will be donating the gifts to The Carver Center’s holiday party. Follow us along our route as we make stops collecting gifts to donate!

**Times are approximate, please arrive early to ensure a Santa sighting! Cookies, candy canes and refreshments will be served at the train station!”**

1:00pm - Train Station

1:15pm - Crest & Ridgewood

1:30pm - Library

1:45pm - Bell Island Gate House

2:00pm - South Beach

2:15pm - RBA Boat House

2:20pm - Brendan's 101

2:30pm - Firehouse

For more information, email Chris Dempster.

Join us in Pinkney Park at dusk where we will light up the town with festive lights, hear music from the Brien McMahon choir, shop at the holiday gift show tent, and enjoy a visit from Santa on his big red firetruck.

After the lights are on, walk down to town for the highly anticipated eggnog contest and revel in the spirit of the season with friends and family. We have a full ballot of egg noggers, so make sure to come thirsty, cast your vote and stay as the top three chefs are revealed!

For more information, email Paul Seymour & John Bainton.

Please join us Thanksgiving morning, November 23rd, at 9:00AM for this healthy and fun Rowayton start to Thanksgiving. The race includes a 5k and 1 mile run/walk.

Once again the RCA is teaming up with the Rowayton Parents’ Exchange to bring you our greatly anticipated Halloween Event! Come in costume to explore the hay maze, pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, grab a goody bag, take a pony ride and show off your costume in the RPE annual Costume Contest! The RCA is always looking for adults and children to volunteer.

For more information, please contact Samantha Page or Melanie Lynch.

The Oktoberfest Fundraiser will be back at the Rowayton Community Center on Saturday, October 21st, from 5:00pm-11:00pm.

Grab your lederhosen and dirndls and come join us for German food, German bier, and an evening filled of singing and dancing. A guaranteed evening of fun!

For more information, please contact Dave Pontius.

As part of the Labor Day Weekend festivities, the RCA will host the 6th Annual Co-ed Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, September 3rd at Bayley Beach, starting at 10:00am. Co-ed teams of local residents ages 14 and up will compete for bragging rights in a fun, pool play format tournament followed by the final beach concert of the Summer Music Festival. 6 players on the court at any time with a minimum of 2 women. $25 per team. Thanks to our generous partner, The Northeast Volleyball Club.

You don’t need to be registered on a team to be a spectator! Bring a cooler and come join in on the fun!

For more information and registration, please contact Jess Morin.

SATURDAY, JULY 8TH | 11:00AM-3:00PM

Mark your calendars for the River Ramble on Saturday, July 8th from 11:00AM-3:00PM. The RCA team is hard at work again lining up the very best for you to celebrate summer in Rowayton! Enjoy live music from Summer Feet, relax at the water’s edge with amazing food & drink from our Grill Boys, Raw bar, and the famous Beer Boys. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at the GoPure water station. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, water slides, dunk tank, balloon twisters, face painting, hair braiding, kid’s games, Kona ice truck, cotton candy and the cakewalk tradition.

NEW THIS YEAR! PRE-SALE PUNCH CARDS!

This year we are pre-selling River Ramble ticket punch cards that you use to purchase food, drink and kiddie attractions.  Stop by the Farmers market on June 30th and July 7th from 11:00AM-1:00PM for some pre-sale ticket savings!

CAKE WALK

Speaking of the cake walk, it’s not too late to sign up to donate your own creative genius to the Gay Whitney Cake Walk - professional bakers not required!  A free candy necklace for anyone who drops off a cake. Sign up here!

VOLUNTEER :)

And it’s not too late to sign up to volunteer! It truly takes a village to run this event, please consider giving your time to make it a special one!

LIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONS!

Be sure to be on site at 1:00PM for the LIVE AUCTION. This is an exciting, fast paced bidding war for the most coveted items of the year; a Brendan’s 101 Golden Cone, a STAYcation at the Southport Delamar, a Bourbon tasting and BBQ dinner from Proof & Wood with Rowayton BBQ Company, an evening at Green’s Ledge Lighthouse hosted by the Green’s Ledge Preservation Society, a Beaver Creek vacation home, Beer of the Week from Rowayton Wine Shop, NY Giants season tickets, a Comedy Night 2024 table, a Poker night with a dealer & a DJ, a VIP table at Summer Music, and Mets tickets with a meet & greet from our favorite, Ron Darling.

Our silent auction will be full of great opportunities including: Ben Larrabee Photography, Bill Pank Paddle Tennis, Chou Chou, Classic Prep, Rowayton Seafood Restaurant and Market, Barbara Erdmann Photography, Nora’s Oven Works, Croswell family boat ride and fishing trip, Hands on Pottery, RCA Merchandise, The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood gift card and Merchandise, Rowayton Fire Department, Capelo family boat ride,  Rowayton Seafood Lobster Dinner, SDSS Karate, Sono 1420, Yoga w/ Elise Martin, Wine from Town Cellar, Norwalk Art Space, Dye Art session with an Arden’s picnic, Palmers, Fjords Darien Lobster Dinner, Portrait Artist Taina Pearson, the Capitol Theatre, RPTA, Sono DOJO, Grit Ninja, Sono Beer Garden, Core Burn Pilates Rowayton, N-Gage brand Pets toys, Carozza Fitness, tickets to the New York Comedy Club in Stamford, Sally’s Apizza, Stew Leonard Wines, Fairfield Cheese Company, Rowayton Market, Historic Rowayton, Xen House and more! Be there at 2:30pm for the close of the silent auction!

DON’T FORGET YOUR MERCHANDISE

Every year, local artists create a signature one of a kind Rowayton logo for the River Ramble T-shirts, Sun-shirts, hats and posters. Don't miss out on this year's design by Dani Snow!  Purchases can be made at the River Ramble Merchandise tables near the ticket tent or at the Farmers Market on June 30th and July 7th (where we are also pre-selling the ticket punch cards).

Check out a sneak peak of our River Ramble Merchandise below! We can’t wait to see you all there!

The Rowayton Fireworks will light up the sky from Bayley Beach on Sunday, July 2nd, beginning at approximately 9:00pm, and lasting approximately 30 minutes. There is a rain date of Wednesday, July 5th.

Non-residents in season must pay to access Bayley Beach.  

The fee is $100 for the Fourth of July and the day of fireworks,

$50 per car for special events, $30 per car on weekends/holidays and $25 per car on non-holiday weekdays. Walks in are $10 per person or $25 per family. We encourage you to walk to the fireworks if possible, as the parking lot fills up early!

For more information, please contact Alex Sparkman.

Calling all runners -- or want to be runners! Bring out the whole family to participate in the 43rd annual RCA Father’s Day Fun Run.

The event will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18th. Race time TBD. Choose from the 2.2 mile short course or the 4.4 mile long course.

Children under 15 may only run the short course, and an adult must accompany all children under nine. More details to come!

For more information, please contact John Bainton.

We look forward to seeing Rowayton show their patriotism as our beloved Memorial Day Parade returns on Sunday, May 28th at noon. We march in rain or shine. Choose a spot along McKinley Street or Rowayton Avenue to cheer on our veterans, firefighters, police officers, local little league players, nursery schools, and more! This is a time honored tradition that finishes at Veteran’s Canon to honor those who died serving our country. Don't forget to save room for hotdogs at the Rowayton Fire Department following the parade!

For additional information contact Jerry Allen.

Join us at The Community Center on April 22nd to help us clean up Rowayton! Teams will be separated all over town to help us pick up garbage and get our town ready for spring. More details to follow!

For more information, please contact Lisa Killion or Jess Morin.

Get your bunny ears and join us on Saturday, April 1st, for the RCA Easter Egg Hunt. There are 3 slots to choose from to meet the Easter Bunny. 

Bring your baskets and happy hunting!  Please check in by 15-min before your time slot as each hunt will begin promptly on the hour at the official start time.  The eggs will be provided by the RCA again this year but any monetary donations and volunteers are welcome.

Please contact Joanna Darling or Jeff Ortolano with any questions, and make sure to tag us on social media @rowaytoncivicassociation during and after the event!

Join us for our first event of the year at The Rowayton Community Center Moose Room. Collect your lightly used jackets, hats, scarves, mittens and any winter clothing and drop them off in the Moose Room at the Rowayton Community Center.  RCA board members and Community volunteers will sort and deliver the donations to The Open Door Shelter to keep our community warm all season long! We are also looking for volunteers with trucks and SUVs to help transport donations.

DONATION SUGGESTIONS: All used but clean and in good condition

• Blankets and Sheets

• Towels

• Back packs and duffle bags

• Teen girl and boy clothes: Sizes 14-18

• Small sizes of mens clothes (especially small jeans for men up to 34”)

• Shoes: Sneakers, boots, flats, practical shoes

• Bras (used is fine)

• Belts

• All mens jeans

• Hoodies

• Long underwear

• Coats: Puffer jackets, vests, leather jackets, short rain coats, wind breakers, short wool coats (please no long dress coats)

• Hats and Scarves: New or in great condition

Join us again in Pinkney Park on Saturday, December 10th at 6:00pm as the RCA Nativity Pageant returns. The evening will feature local performers, clergy and live animals. This family event is a wonderful way to rediscover the joy of Christmas with your neighbors and friends.

Volunteers Needed!

Participants are needed as angels and shepherds (grades 3-5), angels (grades 3-5), wise men (grades 6-8) and townspeople (all ages). Help is always appreciated for the set-up and breakdown of the pageant set as well. Set-up starts at 8:00am on Saturday, December 10th at Pinkney Park. Especially needed are any individuals with sound and light system experience (sound and light set-up starts at 10:00am). Donuts and coffee provided!

This event is proudly sponsored by William Raveis Real Estate. This event is also sponsored by Classic Prep Childrenswear.

For more information or to volunteer please contact Alex Sparkman.

Come one, Come all and Come to the Light!

**Please also stop by The Gardeners & RCA Christmas Tree Sale on Sunday, December 11th at 11:00am at Pinkney Park!

Santa will be making his annual visit to Rowayton aboard his big red fire engine sleigh on Sunday, December 4th. Residents are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card to one of our stops listed below. The Rowayton fire fighters will be donating gifts to The Carver Center’s holiday party. Follow us along our route as we make stops collecting gifts to donate!

1:00pm - Train station

1:15pm - Crest & Ridgewood

1:30pm - Library

1:45pm - Bell Island Gate House

2:00pm - South Beach

2:15pm - RBA Boat House

2:20pm - Brendan's 101

2:30pm - Firehouse

This event is proudly sponsored by William Raveis Real Estate. This event is also sponsored by Classic Prep Childrenswear.

For more information please contact Dave Lane or Garth Griffiths.