Taylor Swift Helps Foundation Raise $4.2M At Farmington Benefit

FARMINGTON, CT — Thanks to noneother than pop megastar Taylor Swift, a major fund-raising event last month at the Farmington Polo Club raised several more than $4 million for Connecticut Special Olympics and other causes.

Organized by the Cheshire-based Hometown Foundation, the 2023 Dream Ride Experience said Friday it had raised $4.2 million, the largest amount in foundation history, during its recent weekend event Aug. 26-27.

Highlighting a fund-raising auction Aug. 26 was an authentic, personally autographed guitar signed by Taylor Swift, according to the foundation.

It went for $50,000, officials said.

Overall, the foundation said more than 15,000 guests attended all of the event's festivities, including 400 "Dream Riders" in the classic car cruise program and 1,000 motorcyclists in the Sunday cruise.

And those participants came from 39 different states and five countries.

The automobile and motorcycle cruises were on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, and they traveled through several area towns, including Canton, Simsbury and Farmington.

Foundation officials thanked local law enforcement, which not only provided escorts for the cruises, but helped plan and execute other events, including a K-9 police dog challenge and a firefighter chili-cookoff.

"We can’t thank our emergency response personnel enough for their dedication to making this event happen," wrote the foundation.

The Hometown Foundation supports various causes including animal welfare, emergency response personnel, individuals with intellectual disabilities or in need, people with major illnesses and the military.

To learn more about The Hometown Foundation, visit www.hometownfoundation.org and for information about The Dream Ride Experience, visit www.dreamride.org.

From Aug. 23: "Massive Motorcycle, Car Cruises To Clog Farmington Roadways: Police"