Community Corner
Food, Music Draw Crowds to Noroton FD Block Party
The annual event draws families and neighbors to support volunteer firefighters.
Friends and neighbors gathered at the corner of the Post Road and Nearwater Lane Saturday night to celebrate the Noroton Fire Department's 114th anniversary at its annual block party.
"The Block Party allows families to get together, see familiar faces, and enjoy the food and entertainment very reasonably," said Alan Hyatt, chief of NFD.
With free admission, attendees spent freely on food and fun. Proceeds will help fund the volunteer-run department.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"It's important to support these firemen who protect us around the clock. All we have to do is show up here and have a great time," said Mike Murray, one of many happy party-goers.
NFD's first block party was held in 1995 to celebrate the department's 100th anniversary. At the time, organizers assumed the party would be a one-year gig.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"So many people came out and we got such positive feedback that we decided to hold it year after year," said Hyatt.
Since 1995, the party has expanded to offer a wide array of affordable food and fun activities.
Gunsmoke and Keltic Kick—bands based in Darien and Fairfield—performed live under a large tent that also featured a busy dance floor.
Pizza fritta, lobster, clam, barbeque, coleslaw, and ice cream were prepared and served by the firemen. T-shirts and other souvenirs were sold, too.
The grand prize of the raffle was a 17-foot whaler. Other prizes included generous gift cards to the Darien Golf Center, Chuck's Steakhouse, Fish Tales, Papa Joe's, and the Lanphier Day Spa.
Blower ball, a simple but exciting gambling game, also inspired participants to try their luck for a good cause.
The party is geared towards families, and it was clear that young kids were having their share of the fun.
"I liked it because of the music, the people, and especially the jumpy," said Daniel Fitzpatrick, one of many young kids who played in the moon bounce, or "jumpy."
A volunteer at the gate estimated the event drew 750-1,000 people, similar to prior years.
"It's got all the ingredients of a great community event: food, live music, ice cream, the chance to see other families. It's a great way to kick off the summer," said Frank McGarey, a Darien resident.
"People treat it as a reunion, it never fails to bring back former volunteers," said Hyatt.