Diners and decorators unite and rejoice!
The sixth annual Longest Dinner Table fundraising event, set to take place on Sept. 29, is fast approaching.
The Longest Dinner Table is the South Windsor Public Education Fund’s largest fundraiser, with organizers anticipating raising some $20,000.
The idea is relatively simple: teams purchase tables of eight for $25 per individual. The participants then have the option of dressing up and decorating the table while dining on meals that they prepared themselves.
“It’s like a big Halloween party,” said Liza Love, the chairwoman of the South Windsor Public Education Fund. “But you don’t have to decorate your table if you don’t want to."
For those who do decorate, judges give out awards for best overall table, best community spirit, most elegant and most creative. The winner of the best overall table is awarded the prestigious (?) Golden Fork.
Last year, an Alice in Wonderland-themed table won the award.
Love said that she anticipates about 40 to 50 tables being filled by South Windsor residents. Love said that entire neighborhoods will buy a table, with each person in attendance bringing a dish they prepared.
The event will be held at Rockville Bank Park at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk from 5 to 10 p.m. The band Locomotion will play live music. In the event of inclement weather (which has happened twice in the previous five years of the Longest Dinner Table), the fundraiser will be held at Nomads Adventure Quest.
It’s a fundraiser that gets a lot of support from the community, according to Love. Indeed, USA Recycling has donated $1,000, while Rockville Bank Foundation, South Windsor Rotary, New England Silica and Camp Bow Wow have each contributed $500; three other sponsors have donated $250 according to Love.
In addition, some 60 businesses have donated items for the silent auction, while another 33 businesses have contributed to the event’s booklet.
“We’ve been thrilled with the response,” Love said.
The money the event raises goes to grants doled out by the South Windsor Public Education Fund. Since it’s inception, the fund has donated about $55,000 in grants.
Love said that virtually every dollar, save for some operating expenses, is donated to educational causes in town.
For more information, visit the South Windsor Public Education Fund website here or contact Liza Love at 860-289-8502 or at catemben@cox.net.
