Light the Night

September 23, 2026 · 6 PM · WEE BURN BEACH CLUB · ROWAYTON, CT

Join us for our Fourth Annual “Light the Night” on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026 at Wee Burn Beach Club to launch the next chapter in the Lighthouse’s epic history.

Gather with friends for an evening of delicious food, live music, sunset Lighthouse cruises, and a live auction featuring incredible Lighthouse events.

This year’s Light the Night will celebrate the dedication of our new vessel, Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann. The vessel represents an important step forward in expanding public access, educational programming, and stewardship of Greens Ledge Lighthouse for generations to come.

The event will also raise funds for “The Next 100 Years,” our ongoing campaign to secure the Lighthouse’s long-term preservation through education, community, and sustainability.

Purchase Tickets

Our Mission

A beachside event with DJ playing music, sparklers, and people enjoying, with a boat near the shoreline, beach chairs, umbrellas, and a photographer taking pictures.

Guests celebrating at an outdoor party with sparklers, tables, and a DJ under string lights at dusk near a beach house.

Aerial view of a beachside restaurant with people gathered for an event, connected to a sandy beach where a boat is anchored in the water.

Outdoor evening event with sparklers on the railing, a DJ or musician on a stage, and guests dining under string lights near a building by a body of water.

Outdoor wedding reception on a patio near a body of water with guests mingling and a small stage with sound equipment

People dining on a patio overlooking a sandy beach with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and the ocean with a boat

People at an outdoor gathering or party on a patio decorated with string lights, some standing around high cocktail tables, others walking and socializing.

A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a green shirt and light gray pants, is standing on an outdoor stage, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone, with trees and a clear sky in the background.

Nighttime photo of a lighthouse with a red and white striped pattern, illuminated and reflecting on the water, with an American flag on a flagpole nearby.

A white bottle with a painted lighthouse and the text "Greens Lead Lighthouse" on a table at an exhibition, with a small sign advertising the lighthouse piece and people in the background.

Assorted mini desserts including fruit tartlets, layered cakes, and chocolate treats on a black platter.

A man wearing sunglasses, a light blue baseball cap, and a navy jacket is sitting next to a white dog with brown spots, wearing an orange life vest. They are at an outdoor event with other people in the background.

A large outdoor digital screen displays an aerial view of a harbor with boats and kayaks, and text about a community event called the RCA Lighthouse Swim.

A man in a navy blue shirt and white pants standing at a clear lectern with a microphone, speaking at an outdoor event by the water during sunset, with two large screens on either side and a black table behind him.

Lighthouse illuminated with colorful lights at night, showing a white tower with a red and orange lantern room at the top.

Group of people at an outdoor event, holding numbered paddles, with tables and string lights in the background.

Guests at an outdoor wedding reception on a brick patio near a body of water, with a large house in the background, watch a speaker on stage.

A man with gray hair and glasses standing behind a clear podium, raising his right fist in the air and smiling, outdoors during sunset or late afternoon, with a body of water and cloudy sky in the background.

DJ wearing a pink blazer and sunglasses performing on an outdoor stage by the water, with large screens and sparklers in the background.

A group of people on a small boat sailing on the water with sailboats in the background.

A lighthouse on a small rocky island in a large body of water under a clear sky.

Group of people dancing and socializing at an outdoor night event with screens that say 'Light the Night' in the background.

DJ with long hair, beard, and sunglasses, wearing a pink blazer, using headphones at a mixer with sparks flying out, outdoor setting with water and a lamppost in the background at dusk

Group of people gathered on a boat deck during evening, some sitting and some standing, with a boat control cabin in the background.

People stepping off a boat onto a beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

A lighthouse illuminated with purple, pink, and blue lights, with a bright full moon in the background against a dark night sky.

Nighttime view of a lakeside venue with string lights, a large white building, and people gathered at the outdoor event, with reflections on the water in the foreground.

Launch the Next 100 Years

The “Next 100 Years” envisions the Lighthouse as a “community asset” - an active beacon of education and community, which revives the functionality and relevance of the Lighthouse to keep the light shining for generations to come.

At this year’s Light the Night event, you can help us launch a new era of hands-on education and coastal exploration with Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann — a vessel built to inspire the next generation of stewards, scientists, and storytellers.

With your support, this floating classroom will provide safe, sustainable access to the Lighthouse and bring learning to life along our shores — connecting students and the community to the history, ecology, and future of our coastline.

Group of young athletes listening to coach explaining during indoor training in a room with brick walls and a large television screen.

A group of young girls and teens in casual clothing, some with turned-up shorts and T-shirts, standing and observing around a metal ladder in an indoor setting with brick walls and porthole-style window.

People looking out at the ocean from a ship's deck under a clear sky.

Group of children gathered around a lighthouse exhibit, listening to a guide, with red and white stools surrounding the area.

Three children looking out from the top of a lighthouse, smiling and enjoying the view.

Group of four people, three women and one man, preparing for a water activity on a dock near a lighthouse, with the man demonstrating how to handle a fishing rod.

A group of five young people listening to an older man in a red shirt and khaki shorts in a bright room with white cabinets and photos of lighthouses on the wall.

Group of people watching a person speak from a boat platform over the water.

Group of people on a boat, some wearing life jackets, at Greens Ledge Lighthouse, with a woman smiling at the camera.

A man with glasses in a blue jacket standing on a dock, looking at children in life jackets, with boats on a river in the background.

Four children in life jackets standing on a dock next to boats, with adults nearby. A sign indicates it's the first stop at Greens Ledge Lighthouse, instructing on safety.

People gathered on a lighthouse viewing platform overlooking the water, with some on the upper deck and others on the lower deck, near water with boats nearby.

A group of people on a boat deck watching a woman dancing, with a passenger in a life vest in the foreground, and a large red and black ship in the background under a clear blue sky.

A crowded pier in Lake Michigan with swimmers, kayakers, and boats. A red and white lighthouse is visible, and people are jumping into the water from the pier, some wearing swim caps.

People swimming and paddleboarding near a lighthouse with a floating dock, where many individuals are gathered wearing swim caps and suits, some sitting and some standing, on a cloudy day.

People gathering on a dock by the water, preparing for a boat trip or activity with boats in the water and rocky shoreline.

A group of young men in matching navy T-shirts and shorts walking down a metal ramp by the water.

Group of people standing on a platform in front of a lighthouse with a white top and red band.

People boarding a ferry on a pier by the water, with a boat and a large body of water in the background.

A large lighthouse painted with red, white, and black sections, with a crowd of people gathered around its base on a sunny day with a blue sky and few clouds.

Three men standing on a boat deck with the Stanley Cup, celebrating after winning the Stanley Cup championship, with a body of water and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

A lighthouse on a rocky pier extending into a large body of water with several small sailboats and a paddleboat nearby. The water is calm and the sky is partly cloudy.

A crowd of people gathered outdoors near a body of water under a blue sky with scattered clouds, with an American flag waving high and a helipad or drone launch platform nearby.

2026 Event Sponsors

Moffly Media

House of Swans - Compass

Darien Butcher

Firstport

Michael Joseph's

Rowayton Wine Shop

Vineyard Vines

Palmer’s Market

Christopher Pagliaro Architects

Merrill Lynch

Riverwind Capital

Soundview Millworks

Rowayton Seafood

Berry Creative

Two Roads

Darien Cheese & Fine Foods

Oak Stone

Sail to Sable

Island House Needlepoint

Angelakis Family Foundation

Anne & George Walker

Schlinkert Family

Pettee Family

Rogers Family

Price Family

Murphy Family

Duncan Family

Erdmann Family

Terri & Chris Walker

Nagler Family

Kathy Olsen

Live Auction Items

Coastal Cruise On Lightkeeper

Cruise for Up to 20
Gather your group for a private three-hour cruise aboard the Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann. Perfect for a celebration with friends and family, explore favorite destinations along the Connecticut shoreline, take in the scenery of Long Island Sound, and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon or evening on the water.
Fireworks & Party at the Lighthouse

Party for Up to 30
Celebrate the Fourth of July from one of the most spectacular vantage points on Long Island Sound. Host up to 30 guests at Greens Ledge Lighthouse for sweeping views of the Rowayton fireworks and displays across the coast. Enjoy an unforgettable evening surrounded by water, summer skies, and coastal celebration.
New York City Cruise on Lightkeeper

Cruise for Up to 12
Take an unforgettable private cruise aboard the Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann, traveling through Long Island Sound and down the East River into New York Harbor. Enjoy dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty on this one-of-a-kind journey from Greens Ledge to New York City.
Cocktails at the Pearl & Lighthouse Party

Party for Up to 20
Begin the evening with cocktails and canapés at Rowayton Seafood’s Pearl, then board the Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann for a cruise to Greens Ledge Lighthouse. Continue the celebration with sweeping waterfront views and a private tour of the historic lighthouse for an unforgettable coastal evening.

Become A Sponsor

Last year, we proudly celebrated the successful completion of “Save the Light,” a five-year fundraising and restoration campaign that addressed the Lighthouse’s most urgent needs and transformed a deteriorating structure into a restored landmark and enduring icon of our community.

Today, our focus has shifted to “The Next 100 Years,” an ongoing fundraising and programming campaign dedicated to ensuring that Greens Ledge Lighthouse never again falls into disrepair. Through education, research, community engagement, and expanded public access, we are transforming the Lighthouse into an active beacon that will continue to inspire and serve our community for generations to come.

A major milestone in that effort is the arrival of our new vessel, Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann, which will greatly expand our ability to provide public tours, educational programs, research opportunities, and community access to the Lighthouse. This year’s Light the Night will serve as the vessel’s official dedication ceremony and celebrate the next chapter in the stewardship of Greens Ledge Lighthouse.

In addition to individual tickets and ticket packages, we are seeking event sponsors. Sponsorship packages include tickets to the event, an invitation to a pre-event VIP lighthouse tour, and prominent recognition of your name or logo across our event marketing before, during, and after Light the Night. Please email us to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsor the event

A brochure or event program detailing the Lighthouse's upcoming event, including a schedule, live auction items, acknowledgments of sponsors and supporters, and information about the Lighthouse's mission and activities.

A rescue boat on the water near the shore with a person inside the cabin, displaying the word 'Dutters' on the side.

Chef in white uniform and hat preparing food at an outdoor buffet, with guests serving themselves and mingling in the background.

Outdoor event setup by the water with round cocktail tables, a buffet table with black containers and white plates, a DJ booth with two large screens, and string lights overhead

A floral centerpiece with white and red flowers on a red tablecloth, reserved seating sign, and a small lamp on a table at a formal event.

Exhibition with informational signs about birds, lighthouse systems, and a light beacon with fog horn, set on a brick walkway near a beach with boats and umbrellas in the background.

Buffet table set up outdoors with chafing dishes, plates, and cutlery, overlooking the ocean with a clear sky.

Poster for Long Island Sound featuring Greens Ledge Light lighthouse image with three people reflected in the glass. Includes location and coordinates information.

Empty beach with lounge chairs and closed umbrellas facing the ocean, rocks in the water, and a clear blue sky.

People gathered on a patio near the beach, with lounge chairs and umbrellas on the sand, and a boat approaching the shore in the background.

Two glasses of pink beverages with lemon slices and straws on a white surface.

Group of people standing on a boat docked at the pier, preparing to board a boat on the water, with a clear sky and calm sea in the background.

A salad bar with bowls of green olives, mozzarella cheese balls, mixed fruit salad, marinated vegetables, artichoke hearts, and crackers.

Buffet table with two pizzas on wooden peels, bowls of green olives and cherries, and covered chafing dishes at an outdoor event.

Person holding a tray of assorted mini tacos with different toppings outdoors.

Six pieces of beef stuffed mushrooms topped with melted cheese, garnished with chopped parsley on a wooden serving board.

Caprese salads served in small wooden bowls with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh herbs, and balsamic drizzle.

A boat-shaped container filled with canned drinks, labeled 'Sip Ahoy,' sits on a table with a red tablecloth. There are upside-down glasses nearby and green foliage in the background.

Tray of bite-sized sandwiches topped with halved soft-boiled eggs and sliced strawberries on a wooden serving platter.

A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a green shirt is playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone outdoors.

People boarding a gray boat with a ramp at a beach on a sunny day, with calm water and a clear sky.

Make a Donation to Greens Ledge Light

Interested in showing your support for Greens Ledge Light by donating directly? Click the button below to be directed to our page on Give Lively. Your donation will help us continue our restoration of this historic landmark and get us closer to our goal of opening Greens Ledge Light to the community in the months and years to come. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Donate Now

Event Committee

SHEILA PETTEE

TIM PETTEE

Sarah Ritchey

DIANE SCHLINKERT

ANNE WALKER

CHRIS WALKER

TERRI WALKER

REBECCA ROBBINS

TASHA NAGLER

KATHY OLSEN

ALEX PETTEE

LIZZIE PETTEE

EMMA BROWN

Meg Schwanhausser

BRENDAN MCGEE

SOPHIE MURPHY

DAVID RADULSKI