Happening in Ridgefield this October

Our beloved Ridgefield Fountain. Photo credit: Alexandra Barnes

Ridgefield in October is full dazzling color and culture. Many of our favorite annual events are still happening in Ridgefield this fall, including the Keeler Tavern Museum’s Scarecrow Contest, Ridgefield Independent Film Festival, and Ridgefield’s Love Your Library Weekend. Take a look at how you can get the full Ridgefield experience this month, and for a full list of events take a look at our Events Calendar.

ARTalk Portraits and Healing with Artist Rudy Shepherd
October 1, 2020 @ 7:00pm
Hosted by by the Aldrich Museum, the Ridgefield Guild of Artists and The Ridgefield Library
Join artist Rudy Shepherd in a virtual talk about the nature of evil and healing in his paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Shepherd will talk about complex grey areas which exist between innocence and guilt as well as victims and criminals through his Portrait series, including watercolor portraits of people such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others. Rudy Shepherd: Somebody’s Child is on view at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum through Sunday, November 29, 2020.

2020 Virtual SafeWalk
Friday, October 2 – Sunday, October 4, 2020
Hosted by The Women’s Center
This year, the Women’s Center SafeWalk will be VIRTUAL so you can walk, run, bike or even hopscotch your way through a 4K any time the weekend of October 2nd – 4th. The SafeWalk unites the community in the mission to end domestic violence and raise much needed funds to support our programs. Register online to support the Women’s Center!

On the Wall Book Sale
Friday, October 2nd & Saturday, October 3rd, 2020
@ Ridgefield Library
Stop by the Library Lawn for the special On the Wall Book Sales on Friday from 2pm to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Selected items for sale in front of the Main Street entrance to the Library – fiction, mysteries, trade paperbacks, children’s books, and more.

Online ARTalk – Portraits and Healing with Artist Rudy Shepherd.

Virtual Battle of the Books
Friday, October 2nd @ 7:00pm
Hosted by Ridgefield Library
In connection with the Ridgefield Library’s LYL (Love your Library) Weekend – join a Virtual Battle of the Books with Jim Mustich. Cheer on local and literary luminaries as they champion books they love. Presenters include Roz Chast & Patricia Marx, Mike Flynn, Stephen Schwartz, Judy Silver and Joel Third.

20th Anniversary Gala with Bruce Hornsby
Saturday, October 3rd @ 7:00pm
@ The Ridgefield Playhouse
Join us as we celebrate the start of the 20th Anniversary Season of the Ridgefield Playhouse! Gala Tickets include dinner under the tent by Bernard’s and Gallo and a live feed of the performance on the Playhouse stage. Streaming Tickets include a livestream of the event to watch from home. Silent auction items available via ClickBid.

8th Annual Scarecrow Contest
October 17th, 2020
@ Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center
Decorate a scarecrow for KTM&HC’s annual contest! Scarecrows will be placed on Main Street during this year’s “Fall in Love with Ridgefield” from October 16 – 18. Voting will take place on the KTM&HC Facebook page from October 16 – 31. The scarecrow with the most “likes” by end of the night on October 31 will receive a prize.

The Ridgefield Playhouse.

8th Annual Scarecrow Contest, Fall in Love with Ridgefield.

Ridgefield Independent Film Festival
October 14th – 18th, 2020
@ Ridgefield Theater Barn with Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center
The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival will go on! Sponsored in part by KTM&HC, RIFF has announced the official lineup for its 5th annual festival with in person screenings at the Ridgefield Theater Barn, as well as an online program of both feature length and short films made available through a virtual event platform, allowing audience members the option of participating in the festival from their own homes.

Virtual Drink and Draw
Thursday, October 15th @ 5:00pm
Hosted by The Aldrich Contemporary Museum
Grab your favorite cocktail or glass of wine and connect for another virtual happy hour and drawing session! This is an opportunity to sit, sip, and chat with our community through live video chat with our Museum staff, while drawing whatever inspires you. Creative prompts will be explored periodically, and participants will be invited to share their favorite drawings and stories throughout the session.

Tories, Spies, and Traitors: Divided Loyalty in Revolutionary Connecticut
October 18th @ 3:00pm
Hosted by Ridgefield Historical Society
This online presentation with Q&A includes a look at the fall from grace of the one-time hero of the Battle of Ridgefield, Benedict Arnold. It will also reveal stories—some well known, some obscure—of Nutmeggers who risked and sacrificed to support their chosen side during this “tumultuous jarring time of civil war.” This program is supported by CT Humanities.

Ridgefield Independent Film Festival.

Diversity Film Series: Just Mercy
Wednesday, October 21st @ 7:00pm
@ The Ridgefield Playhouse with KTM&HC
The Ridgefield Playhouse is hosting a Diversity Film series featuring 10 films presented by different multiple organizations in Ridgefield. KTM&HC will present Just Mercy. There will also be a recorded Q & A with Cheryl Washington screened after the film. Sponsored by Anita and Nick Donofrio, Ann and Steve Carlson, Allison and Jon Stockel, Julie and David Peck, People’s Bank, Ridgefield Prevention Council, and the Town of Ridgefield.

Virtual Halloween Storytelling
Thursday, October 29th @ 7:00pm
Hosted by The Aldrich Contemporary Museum
Happy Halloween from The Aldrich Contemp-BOO-rary Art Museum! You are invited to join educator and storyteller Jane Steinman for a fun, family friendly evening of Halloween storytelling! Jane will tell two participatory stories, perfect for getting your young ghosts and ghouls in the holiday spirit!

Let us know how you’re spending your time in Ridgefield! Tag us at @inridgefield.