News & Events

Annual Events

Current Chamber of Commerce Events

Annual Events

The Annual Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale -- The third Saturday in July, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rain or Shine

Over 100 merchants, restaurants and organizations create a giant block party in the downtown business district. One of New Canaan’s most anticipated annual events—families plan their vacations around this date!

Entertainment, Clowns, music and Bargains, bargains, bargains.

Al Fresco Dining! Dancing in the streets!

New Canaan’s Village Fair is Unique in Fairfield County, the town of New Canaan is blessed with a cohesive business district, which is never more evident than on the day of the annual Village Fair. Elm and Forest Streets are closed to vehicular traffic and New Canaan becomes what is often described as an "outdoor mall." Pedestrian traffic is not impeded by the bisection Route 1, as is the case in Darien, Greenwich, Fairfield and Westport. The crowds flow easily around corners and through crosswalks to take advantage of bargains lining the sidewalks on Main and Park Streets and parts of South Avenue and Cherry Streets. 100 boutiques, restaurants and establishments are within an easy downtown stroll.

The quality of the merchandise offered by New Canaan’s often one-of-kind shops is legendary, drawing in shoppers from afar. Inquiries about the scheduled date start in January every year and many New Canaan families as well as visitors plan vacations and family reunions to coincide with the Village Fair.

By comparison, seemingly every town and strip mall has a "sidewalk sale," often synonymous with "cleaning out the basement." Very often the consumer is faced with racks and piles of merchandise, well picked over by earlier crowds. There is very little entertainment and shopping becomes an endurance test, if not outright drudgery.

An old-fashioned fair atmosphere accompanies New Canaan’s summer sales: music, clowns and balloons, al fresco dining and sidewalk treats, all of which lend an air of long ago country fairs. It’s a fun outing for the whole family, and unlike other towns’ sidewalk sales which last 2-4 days, New Canaan’s Village Fair is a one-day event. This gives the event a unique immediacy. Neighborliness abounds as New Canaan residents catching up on news with friends, strolling the fair or manning the booths join out-of-town shoppers.

Not Just a Retailer’s Day

Although Village Fair Day is one of the biggest days of the year for New Canaan’s retailers, non-profit organizations and service clubs take the opportunity for fund-raising and showcasing their group’s efforts. Raffles, drawings, free gifts and once a year sale items are often available. In addition, information about volunteer and membership opportunities is explained.

Call The Chamber Office For Details and Reservations

New Canaan Family Fourth -- July 4th weekend--to be announced

Annual Halloween Parade -- Sunday, October 28, 2007 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Annual Holiday Lighting of Downtown Business District -- Friday evening after Thanksgiving.

Link Up With the Leaders Annual Golf Outing -- Is hosted by The New Canaan Chamber of Commerce and will be held at the Country Club of New Canaan in September 2008. It is held specifically to help raise money for New Canaan’s annual holiday activities.

Every year, New Canaan retailers and small businesses take great pride in turning the city into a magical winter wonderland with more than 8 thousand twinkling lights that adorn trees in the downtown district. The cost of New Canaan’s lighting extravaganza has been absorbed primarily by the individual retail merchants and business owners.

Current Chamber of Commerce Events

Networking and Awards Luncheon

Tuesday May 13, 2008 at Noon

Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant

2 Forest Street

Honorees

Business of the Year: Karl Chevrolet/Hummer

Golden Shovel Award: Franco's Wine Merchants

Chamber Volunteer: David Van Buskirk

Primi: Classic Napoli Pizza, Caprese

Secondo: choice of Fresh Three-Cheese Ravioli or Roasted Amish Chicken

Dolce: Tiramisu, Crème Brulee or Chocolate Torte

$40 per reservation ($45 non-members)

Call the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce at 966-2004 for reservations

Other Community Information

Pandemic Flu Preparedness

Planning for a possible avian flu pandemic is underway. The New Canaan Chamber of Commerce has been asked to chair a subcommittee for the business community.

As part of the Town¹s preparations for the possible onset of Avian Flu, the Chamber of Commerce subcommittee is encouraging businesses to take steps to continue operations in the event of any long-term disruption. Communication is cited as crucial in any emergency, so the Chamber is asking members to update their e-mail information by sending addresses to fluprep@newcanaanchamber.com. The Chamber intends to serve as a conduit for information, advising business owners where they can find advice on drafting continuity plans and preparing their businesses for any emergency, particularly a long-lasting one such as a flu pandemic or hurricane.

Business owners can begin to take many of the same steps suggested to homeowners at such government sites as www.ready.gov. The committee consists of Chamber Executive Director Pam Ogilvie, Kathleen McShane of the Kendrew Group, Bailey Stewart of Stewart¹s Market and John Kovach of the New Canaan Advertiser.

As we progress, we will have more info for posting, but for right now, below are some listings of places where you can get advice:

Small Business Disaster Preparedness Websites for planning information:

www.Pandemicflu.gov go to Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist

American Red Cross

www.redcross.org and click on “Together We Prepare” or call 1-800-667-2968

New Canaan Chapter

51 Main Street 966-1663

Town of New Canaan Website:

www.newcanaan.info

TOWN OF NEW CANAAN

PREPARING FOR A PANDEMIC AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

The New Canaan Office of Emergency Management, Department of Health, and Red Cross have

prepared this guide of key topics important to planning and preparation not only for pandemic conditions, but also for

many emergency contingencies. Please review the topics below as well as more in www.newcanaanflu.org, frequently.

PROVIDING FOR FOOD

• Keep 4 weeks supply in reserve at all times. Examples: canned

soups, fruits, and vegetables; cereals, pasta & sauces; powdered

milk, infant formula, baby food; pet foods.

• Store in cool, dry, safe place—be aware of “use-by” dates and

recycle and replenish regularly.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/food.htm

HYGIENE PRACTICES

• Wash hands frequently, plenty of soap & water, use paper towels.

• Practice sneeze and cough etiquette.

• During a pandemic period, consider using masks.

• Practice safe food handling and proper cooking.

• Disinfect often-touched surfaces regularly.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/hygiene.htm

WATER

• Store a minimum of 3 gallons of drinkable water, per person, to be

used for drinking, first, then cooking and hygiene. Therefore, a

family of 5 should store 15 gal. of water, minimum, at all times.

Purchased-gallon-bottles are best.

• As space allows, store additional water in 5 gallon containers, to be

used for both drinking and non-drinking needs.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/water.htm

LIVING AT HOME FOR EXTENDED PERIODS

• Stay at home if ill; keep distance from those who are.

• You may be asked or required to stay at home during a pandemic.

• Arrange how you would work from home.

• Consider how you will entertain yourself and children.

• Conditions during a pandemic may improve, but be ready if they

again worsen.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/livinghome.htm

THE MEDICINE CABINET

• Store extra cold & flu medicines—such as Advil, Tylenol,

Imodium, Sudafed, Benadryl, Robitussin or generic versions.

• Plus supplies—Purel (hand-sanitizer), alcohol, latex gloves, masks,

bleach, thermometer.

• Keep 30-day supply of necessary prescription drugs in reserve.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/medicines.htm

HOME HEALTH CARE FOR FLU PATIENT

• Understand symptoms among colds, flu, and pandemic flu.

• At early onset of symptoms: call your doctor, treat the symptoms,

drink fluids, take prescription anti-viral drugs, if available.

• Wash hands frequently, disinfect surfaces.

• Isolate patients, designate prime caregiver, use precautions, masks.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/homecare.htm

FAMILY DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

• Essentials: $200 cash, first aid kit, radio, flashlight, extra batteries.

• Tools & supplies for both home and car.

• Extra clothing & bedding.

• Copies of important family documents.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/supplies.htm

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

• Be aware of current conditions, learn how to distinguish symptoms.

• If you are ill during a pandemic, your objective is stay at home.

• Call your doctor first; do not go to doctor’s office or hospitals.

• Your doctor and Town authorities will evaluate conditions.

• New Canaan has arranged for “intermediate care facilities”

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/medicalassistance.htm

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY PLANNING

• Create a family plan, pick 2 places to meet.

• Plan escape routes from house; safe zones in house.

• Plan how to arrange particular needs in case of illness.

• Practice your plan periodically.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/planning.htm

PETS

• Do not leave pets behind.

• Keep a supply-pack ready-to-go for your pet’s needs.

• Choose designated caregivers: both family and alternates.

• Take a photo of your pets in case of separation.

• More information: call New Canaan Animal Control at 594-3510

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/pets.htm

SPECIAL NEEDS

• Make a personalized plan given your particular needs.

• Identify places to go and who can help you.

• To be included on an emergency list with New Canaan Human

Services please call 594-3076

• Have a care plan for pets and service animals.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/specialneeds.htm

WHO TO CONTACT & WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

• For any emergency call: 911

• For non-emergency, Police call: 594-3500

• For questions about these topics, call Red Cross: 966-1663

• During emergency conditions, the Emergency Operations Center

will be activated; multiple telephone lines will be available.

• If a pandemic begins, a Flu Help Desk will be available.

More details go to: www.newcanaanflu.org/help.htm and

www.newcanaan.info

Please keep this guide readily available, and refer to it often. You may affix it to the

inside of a kitchen cabinet, for example, for easy reference by your entire family. 922

TOWN OF NEW CANAAN

PREPARING FOR A PANDEMIC AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

The New Canaan Office of Emergency Management, Department of Health, and Red Cross have prepared this

guide of key topics important to planning and preparation not only for pandemic conditions, but also for many emergency

contingencies. Please review the topics on the reverse side frequently, and much more is available at www.newcanaanflu.org.

PREPARING FOR PANDEMICS AND OTHER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS

The Town of New Canaan, Pandemic Preparedness Coordinating Committee, consistent with

guidelines prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has prepared this

flyer to emphasize key preparation steps in anticipation of possible pandemic conditions. While

there is no certainty about the arrival, recurrence, and severity of a pandemic, these steps are also

useful for any emergency situation such as hurricanes and blizzards, as well as for a variety of manmade

disasters.

Should a pandemic or another emergency condition occur, it is important that we do not

underestimate the potential for power outages, damage, and disruption to individuals, families, and

the community. Therefore, we strongly urge you keep abreast of conditions, through media sources

and town resources, and prepare yourself and your family, referring to the key categories and

respective website links, as noted, on the reverse side.

WHAT IS PANDEMIC FLU?

First, a pandemic is a “new,” wide-spread disease, which rapidly infects humans, causing high levels

of sickness and death. That can also apply to many kinds of disease. While “influenza” viruses, in

contrast to many other kinds of viruses, have been around us for ages, from time to time “strains” of

these viruses evolve to become particularly troubling to people.

We can expect that in years to come, influenza virus pandemics will arrive on a recurring basis. The

so-called “seasonal” influenza viruses continue to circulate, yet humans have been able to tolerate

them even though they cause widespread illness and about 36,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.

PAST PANDEMIC FLU EPISODES

While there have been many pandemic disease episodes over the ages, there have been three notable

"influenza" events in more recent times, in 1918, 1957, and 1968. In contrast to the so-called

"seasonal" flu, the pandemics in 1957 (the "Asian Flu") and 1968 (the "Hong Kong Flu") caused a

significant increase in flu-related sickness and death. However, the event in 1918, known as the

"Spanish Flu," was a very virulent strain causing a very high rate of sickness and a very high

mortality rate.

The current “bird flu” or “avian flu,” for the lack of a better name, also known as the H5N1 sub-type

virus, has many characteristics similar to those of the Spanish Flu virus. Should the current H5N1

outbreaks evolve into a pandemic, similar in scope to the Spanish Flu, there will be very material

social and economic impact, worldwide. Therefore, it behooves governments, municipalities,

businesses, families, and individuals to prepare accordingly.

RESOURCES

There are many resources to help better understand the behaviors of pandemic diseases. The U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) have made available many checklists and fact sheets. HHS has a dedicated

website, www.pandemicflu.gov, that keeps current on all aspects of flu conditions, planning, and

preparedness. The Town of New Canaan, and our Flu Committee, will keep you abreast of

conditions as they affect New Canaan and the region.

Please visit www.newcanaanflu.org, as well as the town site, www.newcanaan.info, for updates and

useful information to help you plan, prepare, and manage conditions on an ongoing basis.

We suggest you affix the reverse side of this flyer to the inside of a

kitchen cabinet or other convenient location, for easy reference. 922

Is Your Business Ready for the Unexpected?

40% of small businesses do not re-open

after a major disaster. How quickly your

company can get back to business after fire,

flood, terrorist attack, or closure due to

pandemic flu often depends on emergency

planning done today.

The New Canaan Chamber of Commerce

has developed guidelines for small business in our

area. This was developed after careful review of

suggestions from the Department of Homeland

Security as well as the American Red Cross.

When you start to develop your business disaster

plan, consider three factors: human resources,

physical resources and business continuity.

• Identify key employees, customers, vendors and

suppliers. Keep contact information on-site as well

as off-site. Identify a core response team.

• Identify the most essential operations or

processes. Consider those within your operation

and also off-site operations.

• Call your employees daily if you don’t see them—

ask about their health and the health of their

families

• Back up computer data frequently and store the

date off site.

• Create checklists to immediately assess a

situation.

• Consult your insurance agent about adequate

coverage, business continuity insurance in the

instance of fire, flood, terrorist attack or pandemic

flu, which might involve a quarantine of the

business district for days or weeks.

Consider losses:

1. loss of life or injury

2. loss or depletion of revenue

3. equipment damage or loss

4. fines and legal costs

5. loss of customers

• Have a plan of succession in place, using key

people. Cross train staff in daily duties.

• Consider temporarily sharing equipment/

facilities with similar businesses, perhaps in nearby

communities.

• Keep cash on hand for emergencies.

Suggested amount is $200, but consider if

this would be enough for your emergency

needs.

• Keep emergency supplies available on

site, such as a First Aid Kit (See Redcross.org

for information about what should be in the

kit), flashlights, battery-powered radio, work gloves,

plastic or vinyl gloves, repair kit (screwdriver,

hammer, etc).

Other Considerations directly

related to a Pandemic Flu:

• Plan for scenarios which might restrict mass

gatherings, shopping in the downtown district and

the need for hygiene supplies.

• Find up-to-date, reliable pandemic information

from community health, emergency management,

www. Pandemicflu.gov and www.newcanaanflu.com

and www.newcanaan.info and other sources.

• Forecast and allow for employee absences during

a pandemic due to factors such as personal illness,

family member illness, community containment

measures (quarantine), school and/or business

closures and public transportation closures.

• Implement guidelines to modify the frequency

and type of face-to-face contact (i.e. handshaking,

seating in meetings, office layout, shared

workstations) among employees and customers.

• Encourage and track annual influenza

vaccinations for employees.

• Evaluate employee access to and availability of

healthcare services

• Provide sufficient and accessible infection

control supplies (i.e. hand-hygiene products, tissues

and receptacles for disposal.

• Enhance communications and information

technology infrastructures as needed to support

employee telecommuting and remote customer

access.

• Anticipate employee fear and anxiety and ensure

that communications are culturally and linguistically

appropriate.

Common Emergency Foods to Buy

Below is a list to take with you to the store. This list is also available at Walter Stewart’s Market. You may want to figure out the quantities before hand.

*Canned:               Quantity

Meat                 ______________                       Beans               ______________

Soups               ______________                       Fish                  ______________

Vegetables       ______________

*High Energy:

Peanut Butter   ______________                     Dried Fruit    ______________

Jelly                  ______________                      Vitamins       ______________

Granola Bars    ______________                      Trail Mix       ______________

Dried, Crisp Crackers           ______________ (Use within six months)

Drinks:

*Canned juices    ______________

Noncarbonated soft drinks           ______________

Instant coffee, tea and cocoa       ______________

Powdered Milk    ______________ (If boxed, use within six months; nitrogen-packed cans, can be stored indefinitely)

Staples: (Most staple items may be stored indefinitely in proper containers and conditions)



Vegetable oils      ______________                                   White rice                                     ______________

Dried corn            ______________                                   Bouillon products                          ______________

Baking powder     ______________                                   Soybeans                                     ______________

Salt                       ______________                                   Dry pasta                                     ______________



Miscellaneous:

*Ready to eat cereals       ______________                      *Pet Food          _______________

*Canned nuts                    ______________                      *Baby Food       _______________

*Hard Candy                     ______________

Notes:

* Use within one year or before due date indicated on label