Stratfield Hopes To Fund Roadwork With Parkapalooza Event

FAIRFIELD, CT — As it strives to make the neighborhood a better place, next Saturday the Stratfield Village Association will host a get-together to raise funds and share community spirit in the historic area.

“This is a new and completely unique event to Fairfield,” said Jamie McCusker, co-president and co-founder of the SVA, a local nonprofit aimed at improving the neighborhood that stretches along the upper east side of town.

To date, the SVA has raised close to $1 million on the neighborhood’s behalf, with funds going to upgrades at Lt. Owen Fish Park on Stratfield Road, including new walking trails, bathroom renovations and the installation of a new toddler playground.

It has also raised a near-equal amount to invest in the area known as the Four Corners, which is the spot where Stratfield Road, aka Route 59, meets Fairfield Woods Road.

The renovation project is 90 percent complete in terms of design, the product of a partnership with the town, and the plan is that it will break ground in the next year or so.

“For our final fundraising push for the Four Corners Project, the SVA will be holding the Lincoln Parkapalooza on Sept. 11,” McCusker said. “All the streets surrounding Lincoln Park, on Jackman Avenue in Stratfield, will be closed to cars and eight live bands will play in different locations in the neighborhood on front lawns of homes.”

The event will start at 2:30 p.m. with a 9-11 ceremony at the Stratfield Firehouse in coordination with the department, after which the festivities will run through 9:30 p.m.

“When we embarked on this mission to improve the Four Corners with a safety and beautification project,” explained Dylan O’Connor, co-president and co-founder of the group, “the SVA committed to bringing a certain amount of money to the table.”

“We intend to honor that commitment and this fundraiser helps us get there,” he said.

The headline band, The Tom Petty Project, will play at Lincoln Park starting at 7:30 p.m. to close the event.

There will be food and vendors available throughout.

“The music starts at 3 p.m. at various houses in the neighborhood,” O’Connor said, explaining that a map will be released through the group’s Facebook page later this week.

People are encouraged to buy tickets in advance as we expect a big turnout,” he said, with wristbands required to attend the various events.

For more information, visit stratfieldvillageassociation.org.