Croquet on the Green – Tuesday, August 7
WILTON – One of the joys of being a Mom is having both children in separate summer camps located 30 minutes away from each other, however require being picked up only 15 minutes apart. Throw in making your daughters change out of their ripped black leggins into summer dresses in the girl’s bathroom, and it makes for one frantic, tired family.
This is how we arrived at the AIM Services, Inc. 5th Annual Croquet on the Green Tournament and Garden Party – hot, cranky, and hungry.
Let me jump ahead 10 minutes, which was all it took to have tasty treats in our hands and cold drinks down our throats. Thanks to Queensbury based, Deliciously Different, my vegetarian daughter Julia had plenty to nibble on, while McKenzie and I dove into their lunch boxes. I have to tell you I am not a fruity-dessert kinda girl, if it is not smothered in chocolate or doesn’t have chocolate in the name….no thank you!
Well I am both embarrassed and pleased to tell you that I had not one, but two lunch boxes-mostly to have a second serving of the blueberry cobbler. Robin Smith, the owner of Deliciously Different, remarked that this is her 3rd year at this event and that Croquet on the Green is her favorite event to cater.
The love did not end with Robin, as people were encouraged to come dressed to impress. Many people heard this cry and took it upon themselves to put on their croquet best. Men wore socks pulled up to their knees, while others adorn track worthy hats.
Unlike any other fundraiser in Saratoga, AIMs event encouraged you to participate, in teams of two, in friendly games of croquet. There were 34 teams that competed against each other until the final bracket was filled in and a winning pair was announced. A sample of creative names: kilt’em, hit and run, mallet movers, a swing and a miss, and double m (that was for me and McKenzie). We had the honor of playing against the wise and patient competitor Van. When I asked Van why he attends the Croquet on the Green tournament and Garden Party, his response was: I love beer, cigars and Croquet and all three of those things are here.
This event was perfectly low key and wonderfully kid friendly. There was a Ben + Jerry’s ice cream cart, kids raffle baskets, beautiful yet simple decorations, and of course the ability to play croquet with your family.
One of my favorite parts of the night was listening to Thom Powers. Speakers were set throughout the croquet fields and under the food tents. I have never run into him in Saratoga before but this is one of the things that I love about going to events, you discover what has been in your town all along. Check him out HERE.
To AIM: congratulations for demonstrating your support for “power of potential” in people with diverse abilities. The Croquet on the Green was not pretentious at all, is perfect for any age, and as a result is one of my favorite events that I have experienced with my daughters in the last 2 years writing for Planet Mandy.
So three hours after we arrived in a heated tizzy, we left with our second lunch box in one of our hands while the other arm was wrapped around each other’s waist. We laughed and talked about how much practice we need to be able to take home the trophy next year. Look out Croquet on the Green and other worthy opponents, Double M will be coming for you next year!
GALLERY: CROQUET ON THE GREEN
Mandy Mittler
August 11, 2018
