To the Editor:

On Sunday, Oct. 4, we celebrated our 26th Annual Ambler Farm Day! Hundreds of people from Wilton and beyond enjoyed this iconic Wilton tradition that marks the beginning of fall. Even the misty skies couldn’t keep the crowds from enjoying live music by Wilton’s own Present Company and farm favorite activities like the apple slingshot, the hay maze, dunk tank, hay rides, farm stand, pumpkin bowling and more. The event is one of our largest annual fundraisers supporting Friends of Ambler Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2005, six years after the Town of Wilton purchased the property in 1999, to manage the daily operations on behalf of the Town.

Ambler Farm Day is truly about community supporting community, and this year was no exception. In that spirit, we would like to express our thanks to our invaluable 100-plus volunteers (both adults and youths) who joined us. We could not have put this event on without each and every one of them!

We are especially grateful for our Ambler Farm Sponsors this year: ASML, Tauck, Village Market, Outdoor Sports Center, Seven Acres Montessori, Stew Leonard’s, Caraluzzi’s, Redding Veterinary Hospital, Ring’s End, Riverbrook Regional YMCA, Wilton Hardware and Wilton Soccer Association.

We would like to acknowledge our dedicated supporters including: Ambler Farm’s own Apprentices, Blue Hill Orchard, Freedom Field Lining, Kuss Farm, Maida Designs, Present Company Band, A Royal Flush, Jared Scribner Apple Peeler, Student Transportation of America, Wilton Girl Scouts, Wilton Historical Society, Town of Wilton, The Turnover Shop of Wilton, Wilton CERT, Wilton Department of Public Works, Wilton Fire Department, Wilton Parks and Recreation, Wilton Police Department and Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Thanks to the food trucks who offered up delicious options: Brazilian BBQ Boys, Freddy’s Platos, Grumpy Dumpling Co., Maine-ly Seafood, Silver Sands Pizza, Skip’s Ice Cream Co. and Walter’s Hot Dogs.

There were a tremendous number of helping hands that made this day extra special! We are deeply grateful to our Activity Chairs who led key areas with planning, prep and oversight: Jeff Bates, Caryn Czarnecki, Stephen Jones, Kate McInerney, Robin Spath, Faye Stiler-Cote, Patti Temple, Melanie Yahner and Stan Yee. Thanks to those who generously donated hundreds of delicious baked goods for our Sweets and Treats tent. We thank our brave volunteers who took the plunge in the Dunk Tank: Weston Fire Department’s Nelson Bukov, Riverbrook Regional YMCA’s Mike Kazlauskas, Wilton Police Officer Brandon Harris and Ambler Farm Apprentices. Thank you to our Eversource volunteers who staked and secured the hay maze. We extend a special note of appreciation to our team of 20 ASML employees who spent all day Friday setting up our event!

I would like to extend a warm thanks to our Friends of Ambler Farm Board of Directors for their steadfast support and guidance year-round. You are an integral part in making this day a resounding success. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our extraordinary staff whose unwavering commitment, infectious energy, talent, and leadership ensured a safe, smooth and memorable day for all. And finally, our deepest thanks go to all who attended! Above all, Ambler Farm Day is a celebration of our extraordinary community, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Ashley Kineon
Executive Director
Ambler Farm