See the 30 unique shoe sculptures around town and participate in a series of events to support local charities.
By Faye Brennan
Have you seen bigfoot around town? Or maybe just a very large shoe? Well, you’re not going crazy. Those giant sneakers bopping along Main St. are part of a new series of events to support two meaningful local charities—and you can walk straight into the action all summer long! Here’s what’s happening and where so you can get involved:
Event #1: The KICKS Public Art Event
When: Now through September 20, 2024
Where: All over Ridgefield (see the map or pick up a paper copy at participating businesses to find all of the sneaker sculptures; Suggested start: Keough’s Paint & Hardware, 1 Ethan Allen Highway)
Cost: Free
The KICKS Public Art Event, organized by local non-profit ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative and sponsored by the Ridgefield Running Company, is a free, fun, and creative art installation happening on the streets of Ridgefield. The display features an array of uniquely designed fiberglass resin shoe sculptures (ranging in size from 18 inches to 3.5 or 6 feet) that are all up for auction online.
Saturday, June 15th marks the first day that all 30 sculptures are officially on display. Twenty-four local businesses sponsored the sneakers and paired up with more than 23 artists to apply their beautiful and creative designs to each one. Everyone involved is hoping the sculptures bring joy to the streets of Ridgefield during the peak of summer.
You can bid on sculptures to support charitable initiatives
Now through September, you can bid to own one of the sneaker sculptures by scanning the QR codes at the base of each statue. All of the auction’s proceeds will benefit two charities: the ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative and KICKS for Kids.
“ArtFul supports artists by giving scholarships to young kids who would like to pursue art as a career and also adults who are currently working but need help making a collection to be shown and brought forward,” explains Colabella.
Similarly, KICKS for Kids is a charitable initiative empowering every student athlete in the Bridgeport, CT school system with properly-fitting running shoes. “If you offer the opportunity to a student to participate in a sport that they might not otherwise be able to, you open the world to them,” says Megan Seafoss, founder and owner of Ridgefield, Darien and Brookfield Running Companies.
KICKS for Kids has donated 1,000 pairs of shoes already!
To date, KICKS for Kids has donated nearly 1,000 pairs of shoes—and already, Seafoss says the response to this public art event has been overwhelming. “I see the success. People are pausing to look, offering comments, taking photos, and enjoying the sculptures tremendously.”
Event #2: “Run Around Town” Scavenger Hunt
When: Sept. 6 & 7, 2024
Where: Start at RPCA Art Center, 410 Main St.
Cost: Free
Grab the family and kids and make a day of being outside—checking out the shoe sculptures in addition to finding real sneakers hidden around Ridgefield. “The scavenger hunt will start at the RPCA Art Center,” says Colabella. “You’ll get a map there and then run around town looking for all the physically wearable sneakers that were decorated and hidden inside participating businesses.”
“It’s free and everybody is more than welcome to join and have a great time,” adds Melissa Kraus, a board member of ArtFul.
Event #3: The Fairfield County Bank Fitness Expo
When: Sept. 7, 2024, 11-4pm
Where: The front lawn of Fairfield County Bank in Ridgefield
Cost: Free
Once you’ve crushed the scavenger hunt, head on over to Fairfield County Bank to check out The Fitness Expo. This is a public event full of physical activities and fitness-promoting fun sponsored by the bank and other local vendors. “There will be stretching and yoga classes going on throughout the day,” explains Colabella.
Local fitness companies will have tents set up to provide more info about their services. Interested vendors who’d like to participate can still register for a tent, adds Kraus.
Event #4: The “Just for Kicks” Silent Auction
When: Sept. 24, 2024, 6-9pm
Where: The Benjamin
Cost: $65 per ticket (buy online)
The impressive sneaker sculptures will strut their stuff in a grand finale culminating at The Benjamin. During this special closing event, guests will place their final bids on the shoes (as well as a few other items) in a silent auction.
“We’re hoping to raise a lot of money for these great organizations,” explains Colabella. “Our goal is $200,000, but any amount will do.”
Hors d’oeuvres will be served, spirits will be available, and the dress code is “KICKS-worthy casual” (hint: rock your own favorite pair of sneaks!).
Faye Brennan, Lifestyle Contributor at inRidgefield, is a Connecticut-based content creator, editor, writer, entrepreneur, podcast host, and media personality. She lives on the Ridgefield/Danbury border with her husband and their apricot maltipoo, Gwen. Follow her on Instagram and read more about her work on FayeBrennanWrites.com.
Photo credit: Andrea Carson.
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