25th Anniversary Gala
Life is a Parkway: Preserving the Journey
Join the Merritt Parkway Conservancy for a special celebration and fundraiser commemorating 25 years of stewardship, preservation, and advocacy for one of Connecticut’s most treasured historic landscapes.
Date and TimeSaturday, October 24, 2026 at 6 pm
LocationThe Guest House, Sacred Heart University West Campus, Fairfield
AttireFestive semi-formal attire
The evening will honor the founders of the Conservancy: Peter Malkin, Dee Winokur, Emil Frankel, and Peter Szabo. Funds raised will support ongoing protection of the Merritt Parkway, restoration of its iconic bridges, and preservation of the naturalistic landscape designed by visionaries in the 1930s.
The celebration will include cocktails, a seated dinner, musical entertainment by The Galvanized Jazz Band, and remarks by honorees and Connecticut government leaders.
Ticket Sales
Golden Parkway Patron
$10,000
$9,000 tax-deductible
- Option of a prominent table for 10
- Option to reserve one or two seats for a VIP/CT Government Leader or Honorary Guest
- Name placement and recognition at the event and in the program
- Invitation to the VIP Cocktail Reception before the event
Silver Patron
$5,000
$4,000 tax-deductible
- Option of a prominent table for 10
- Option to reserve one or two seats for a VIP/CT Government Leader or Honorary Guest
- Name placement and recognition at the event and in the program
- Invitation to the VIP Cocktail Reception before the event
Benefactor Individual Ticket
$1,000
$900 tax-deductible
- Individual admission to the 25th Anniversary Gala
- Support the preservation of the Merritt Parkway
- Invitation to the VIP Cocktail Reception before the event
Individual Gala Ticket
$400
$300 tax-deductible
- Individual admission to the 25th Anniversary Gala
- Support the preservation of the Merritt Parkway
Underwriting Opportunities
Please email akolb@merrittparkway.org to discuss underwriting opportunities.
- Underwriting ticket purchases for honorary guests
- Underwriting musical entertainment or beverages
Unable to Attend?
If you are unable to attend, you can still make a gift in support of the Merritt Parkway Conservancy.
Gala Committee
Kim Alexander, Arianne Kolb, Schuyler H. F. Merritt, Dee Winokur, Marielena Fernandez de Cordoba, Cathy De Graaff, Ann Lydecker, Amy Reid
Board of Directors
Peter Malkin (Chairman), David Parker (Vice Chairman), Wes Haynes (Secretary), Michael Larobina (Treasurer), Cynthia Blumenthal, Toni Boucher, Nette Compton, Thomas Lombardo, Schuyler H. F. Merritt, Alloe Stokes, Bill Finch, Catherine Sbriglio, Susan Leaming Pollish, Marielena Fernandez de Cordoba, Arianne Kolb (Executive Director)
Advisory Board
Dionna Carlson, Dee Winokur, John Harrington