The Staff and Board of Directors of Tarrywile Park and Mansion would like to thank everyone who came out to support our cause; keeping Tarrywile Park & Mansion free and accessible for everyone.
As advertised the evening was full of good food, great music and lively conversation. Cocktail hour this year was moved onto the veranda as a result of the unexpected balmy weather.
The bistro table was the centerpiece with a nice assortment of cheeses as well as a variety of crackers to accompany them. The addition of fresh fruit and vegetables, spinach and hummus dip, rounded out a great selection, fit for any type of foodie.
There were touches of harvest colors throughout the evening, compliments of All Season Tent & Party Rental who supplied all of our linens, tableware and more.
Lets move on to the passed Butler Style hors d’oeuvres, which could be considered a meal in itself. The smartly dressed waitstaff of Carriage House Events and Catering were out in force with silver trays in hand ensuring that every guest was not left wanting, whether they were inside the Mansion or mingling outside on the veranda. The selection of hors d’oeuvres consisted of a few of my all time favorites; Raspberry & Brie Bundles, Rustico Mac & Cheese Melts,Cony Island Dogs, Coconut Shrimp, as well as Chicken Chalito, and Duck Spring Rolls, there was something for everyone.
While our guests relaxed with a glass of wine or beer, smooth dinner music was being played by one of our favorite DJ’s; Jimmy Romaniello of James Daniel Entertainment. Erica of Keane Eye Photography was moving through the crowd, capturing moments in time that will become part of the history of Tarrywile Park & Mansion. The evening progressed with a sit down served fall salad consisting of baby lettuce, candied pecans, dried cranberries and goat cheese topped with a house balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
The various tables were called up next for the buffet dinner that included something for everyone, even some special request vegan meals for our non-meat/dairy eaters. There was Artisan Bread, Marinated & Grilled Flank Steak, CHEC’s “Signature Paella”, which was decimated by the end of dinner, Porchini Mushroom Pasta Purses with Pink Champagne Sauce, Tri-Color Fingerling Potatos and Petite String Beans with Glazed Carrots. If you came away hungry, you didn’t try hard enough.
Through out the entire evening tables were set up with silent auction items donated by various local vendors and artisans. There was a wide range of items from a Trader Joe’s Danbury gift basket to hand carved walking sticks made by our very own Grounds and Building staff George Gooden Jr. and Cesar Martinez. Who know we had such hidden talent.
The favorite part of the evening for me, and is always my favorite part of any meal, was dessert. Monica of Monet Baking Company graciously donated fresh, flaky Apple Galettes, coupled with fresh blueberry and pumpkin pie, topped off with chocolate covered strawberries.
While I was indulging my sweet tooth, the music switched gears and soon our guests were burning off their meals dancing to some of the latest popular songs with a good amount of oldies but goodies mixed in. The silent auction bidding ended at 9:00 pm giving the winners time to pick up their items or make arrangements for pick up during the week.
The evening ended on a high note with our guests leaving after a great evening while knowing they played a part in keeping Tarrywile Park free and accessible to the citizens of the greater Danbury area and beyond. Photographs from this event are below, enjoy! We look forward to seeing you all again next year, and don’t forget to bring a friend, we love seeing new faces and meeting new people who perhaps don’t know of the wonderful resource that is Tarrywile.
We would like to acknowledge everyone who helped make our 9th Harvest Dinner the success it was. It is because of you we are $3000 closer to our fundraising goal of $34,000 for the year.
Including the above mentioned contributors we would like to add our silent auction contributors; Whimsicals by Terry Froehlich, Chuck’s Steakhouse Danbury, Gallucci’s Catering, The Krafty Equestrian, The Palace Theater Danbury, Shakespeares Garden Center, Fairgrounds Liquor, and a few more who choose to remain anonymous.
Sponsors who purchased an add in our brochure included; Union Savings Bank of Danbury, Dave & Kathy Manacek, Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, Gallucci’s Catering.
