NewCanaanite.com (http://nctest.proxy02.mageenet.net/new-canaan-family-fourth-at-waveny-photos-29130)
Grabbing a piece of the lawn at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
Looking out from the covered porch on the west side of Waveny House at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
The New Canaan Town Band gets ready at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
Rec Director Steve Benko at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
L-R: Jes, Barbara and John Sauerhoff, Betty McCready at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
The Blackwell family—Rhonda, Andrew and Houston—having a great time at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
The Exchange Club serving refreshments at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
Inflatable and other mini-playgrounds for kids out front of Waveny House at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
L-R: Trey Hartnett, Cooper Dinan, Wilbur Dinan at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
New Canaan's Rob Mallozzi enjoying the festivities as the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
L-R: Tim Hartnett, Terry Dinan, Al Fusco and Brian Rogers at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
Some people brought a little reading material for the picnicking portion of the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
Looking back toward Waveny House at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
Despite a little rain in the morning, the New Canaan Family Fourth came off in fine style on Saturday, as thousands of town and nearby residents unwound and socialized around picnicking, relaxing, reading, eating, drinking and otherwise enjoying one of the community’s most cherished annual traditions.
With plenty of help from New Canaan Police Department officers and Community Emergency Response Team volunteers, residents found their way to open areas on the grass running away from Waveny House overlooking the corner by the old mulch pile on Lapham Road where the fireworks fly to mark Independence Day in New Canaan. While small children enjoyed inflatable bouncers, others bought refreshments from the Exchange Club or Garelick & Herbs, interacted with NCPD officers, NCVAC EMTs and other emergency responders and got comfortable for an always-impressive show.
The Family Fourth is funded entirely through the sale of passes ($35) and generous donations. After a shortfall of about $15,000 last year hit the self-sustaining fund that puts on the event, the committee that oversees the Family Fourth called for more residents to purchase passes and support the show. Through Tuesday, some $48,742 in passes and donations had been collected, against an estimated expense line of about $70,000, officials said. Though final tallies are not yet available, officials at Waveny said they expect to approach the target of $70,000 this year.
Great photos, Mike! Wish you’d done a selfie with the rest of your family!