Showdown on the Sound returns to Weed Beach on Saturday, May 21 with a “build your own boat” race, a silent auction, food trucks, lawn games, dunk tank and live music.
— an announcement from Shatterproof
Most importantly, Showdown on the Sound is proud to be a substance-free event. By participating in our event, you will help increase awareness and funding for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of this disease.
The annual event is held in memory of Michael Taylor, a Darien native.
About Mike Taylor
Mike was kind, witty, adventurous, sincere, and generous. His spirit was magnetic. He lit up every room he walked into with his enormous smile and deep, infectious laugh and loved his friends and family deeply.
An all-state tennis player at Darien High School, Michael also played D1 varsity tennis for three years, graduated from Villanova University and then started a career in marketing. He loved traveling, adventures, and being out on the water.
Michael also suffered from addiction, initiated with opioid painkillers prescribed after reconstructive shoulder surgery due to a tennis injury during his junior year at Villanova.
Michael embraced his struggles with substance use with the same tenacity he approached everything else in his life and refused to shy away from giving his own voice to the addiction epidemic. In April 2016, he sadly lost his battle with opioids after two months’ sobriety.
By engaging in some of the activities that Mike enjoyed, we honor his memory. Addiction needs to be battled with empathy and love. Michael was full of both.
Why a boat race?
Every year, Michael and his friends would kick off the summer with days out on the water and a trip to Block Island, RI. Michael was a passionate sportsman and could turn any activity into a competition. The more outlandish a plan, the more Michael respected it.
Inspired by this annual tradition, and in recognition of Michael’s love of spectaculars, Showdown on the Sound was born.
These activities all represent, in one way or another, a part of life that Michael loved. We honor Michael’s memory by engaging in activities that he enjoyed and continue his mission to fight addiction and erase its stigma in our communities.
History of the event
The inaugural Showdown on the Sound was held on May 20, 2017 and has become an annual event held at the beginning of the summer.
We love to see friends and family and new faces every year at Weed Beach. Unfortunately, COVID-19 did not allow for a large community event in 2020 and 2021, but we were able to do a small virtual event and fundraiser to keep the spirit of our event alive.
We are so happy to be returning to an in-person event at Weed Beach this year. In total, Showdown on the Sound has raised over $815,000 for Shatterproof so far. With your help, we are hoping to bring that total over $1,000,000 this year!
About Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States.
Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities.
If You’re Going …
WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 2022
WHERE: Weed Beach
151 Nearwater Lane, Darien
COST: Free Admission – Everyone is welcome!
TIME: 1 to 5 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.)
—1 to 2:30 p.m. lawn games & dunk tank
—1:30 to 2:30 Band – Vasudo featuring members of the band Goose
—1 to 4:45 p.m. silent auction
—2:30 p.m. opening remarks & speeches
—3 p.m. boat parade & race) Currently there are 13 teams!
—4 p.m. awards & closing ceremony
Website: ShowdownOnTheSound.org
Thank you, Sponsors
Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Stamford Health, Rings End, Baywater Properties, Janney Trust Advisors, CJS Securities, BMW of Darien, Land Rover of Darien, Liberation house, The Lighthouse, and Adventure Recovery.