By Liz Leamy
Last week, the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes held its annual Carnival of Fun following a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic in celebratory fashion as hundreds of people descended upon its expansive Riverside lot to enjoy its extensive array of rides, games, music, food and raffles.
This much-anticipated event, held for the first time since 2019, was a runaway success on all counts as everyone there clearly seemed to be having an excellent time, something the church and event figureheads, workers and volunteers were thrilled about, especially in recalling the frightening pandemic period of several years ago.
“This was our first carnival since the pandemic and it was a great success,” said Reverend William Platt, Pastor of the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes. “It’s been wonderful to see all the happy faces, the children running around and people enjoying themselves on the rides, eating, listening to the music and spending time together. For me, the carnival was the symbol of the presence of God.”
Others felt similar sentiments.
“It’s been wonderful to be here. I think everybody has been focused on coming together as a community and that is everything,” said Kathy Kriskey of Old Greenwich, a Commodity Strategist with Invesco U.S. who was in charge of the carnival’s 50/50 Raffle. “You walk in and you see kids smiling and everyone is so happy to be here. The food and music have also been spectacular.”
In customary fashion, the rides at this event were a hotspot for many, as people of all generations could be seen laughing, screaming and throwing their arms up in the air as they braved such ventures as the flying swings, Zero Gravity Tilt-A-Wheel, Rip Cord free fall and scrambler that were provided by the Stewart Amusement Company of Trumbull, Connecticut, a longtime partner of the St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes Parish in regard to this carnival.
The food vendor area, meanwhile, was also a main destination, as dozens of individuals lined up at their various tents in droves every night enjoy their menu offerings.
This contingent included Aux Delices and the Greenwich Fish Company, among other popular eateries based in and around town.
“We love being part of this event and it’s great to be here,” said Debra Ponzek, 1992 winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for Rising Star Chef who is owner of Aux Delices, the renowned food establishment with locations in Riverside, Greenwich, Darien and Westport and other areas with her husband, Greg Addonizio that had a vendor tent at the carnival. “Everyone has been wonderful and this is a celebration that brings so many people together.”
In addition, the pizza fritta tent was another primary stopping ground for many carnival goers as they would wait in lengthy lines in order to enjoy its tasty tomato sauce and powdered-sugar frittas.
“It’s been great to see everyone here having such a good time,” said Joan Knudsen of Riverside who helped direct and manage the popular Pizza Fritta vendor tent. “The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes is so dedicated to making this a top-notch event in every way and you can see that. Everyone works together.”
Certainly, the efforts of Knudsen and entire Carnival of Fun community, a group that consisted of the parish clergy and staff along with the dozens of volunteers, vendors and workers as well as countless others were all the reason for this event’s terrific success.
“We have a wonderful and dedicated group of volunteers, workers and organizers who have all helped make this event be the success it is,” said Fred Durante Jr., owner of Fred Durante Jr. Landscape Services in Stamford and Chair of the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes Carnival of Fun who has been involved with this event since the 1970s. “This is like a party and it helps get everybody together. There are a lot of people here, many of who haven’t seen each other for a while and have been reconnecting, which is nice. It’s been a little hot, but the people have been coming.”
Father Platt agreed as he expressed gratitude for the Carnival of Fun staff, volunteers, workers and organizers.
“I want to thank everyone, especially those on the Carnival Committee who helped put this event together at such a rapid pace,” said Father Platt. “Fred Durante and all of the workers, volunteers and vendors helped make this all happen.”
Each night in a big tent by the entryway, there was also live entertainment provided by a lineup of talented local musicians and bands who would perform for carnival goers sitting inside at one of its many tables relaxing, resting, cooling off while enjoying their food and refreshments.
“We love coming here and we look forward to it every year,” said Lisa Weicker of Greenwich, who was there with her husband, Scot Weicker, Event Manager of the Greenwich Town Party and her daughter, Amanda Weicker Ix, son-in-law, Christopher Ix and their children. “We’ve brought our children here and now we’re bringing our grandchildren.”
The 50/50 Raffle Tent, located by the entryway at Riverside Avenue, was another carnival hotspot.
Overseen by Kathy Kriskey and several other event volunteers, this busy locale was where individuals could make a 10.00 donation to help support the parish and also possibly win half the earnings from the total collection. (The second half of the donations for the raffle went to help support the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes.)
Ultimately, the success of this event was more than just about everyone having a good time, as it very much reflected the strength of the Greenwich community through the work, dedication and faith of its organizers, directors, volunteers, workers, vendors and other supporters, including all of its attendees.
“This event is divinely inspired,” said Father Platt. “You can see it everywhere and that just really warms my heart.”
