On Friday, February 23, 2018, the Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to launch its planned project at Harmon Field. The ceremony began at 10:00 am, near the site of the proposed improvements. Approximately 30 residents of Tryon attended the event, along with representatives of the Dallara Foundation, members of the Dallara family, and other guests.

The ceremony began with remarks by Charles Dallara, chairman of the Dallara Foundation and son of the foundation’s namesake. Mr. Dallara began by thanking those in attendance and went on to provide background information about Harry Dallara’s love for Tryon and Harmon Field, particulars of the project scope, and a vision for reviving organized sports at the athletic facility.

The project will include revitalization of the baseball diamond, new fencing and gates, ground-level dugouts, and a new scoreboard. In addition, there will be a bronze statue of Harry Dallara, inspired by a photograph of him hitting a baseball at the age of 92, and a bas-relief sculpture honoring the Tryon All-Stars. Walkways, park benches, and natural stone will create a park-like setting.

Additional remarks were made by Alan Peoples, Mayor of Tryon, Benny Smith, Chairman of the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, and Gordon Hamilton, member of the Dallara Foundation Board of Directors.

Each speaker emphasized the importance of building communication bridges across ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries, the process of which is vital to the success of the project.

Charles and Peixin Dallara

Left fo right: Charles Dallara, Harmon Field Board of Supervisors Chairman Benny Smith, Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples, and Dallara Foundation Director Gordon Hamilton.

Watch Harmon Field Groundbreaking Video