Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor the dedicated members of the U.S. military who gave their lives in service of protecting American freedom and defending Democracy,

There will be various activities and events around Wilton for residents to partake in to honor these heroes throughout the long weekend.

GOOD Morning Wilton is your definitive guide to everything that’s happening over Memorial Day Weekend in Wilton. Below, first you’ll find details on the Memorial Day Parade as well as background on the Wilton residents being honored. That’s followed by a schedule of the events for the whole weekend.

Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony: Everything You Need to Know

As they graciously do each year, the Wilton Memorial Day Parade Committee invites all Wilton families and guests to the Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, May 26.

Marching in this year’s parade — with the theme “Honor Their Sacrifice” — will be veterans, bagpipers, military vehicles, antique cars, emergency vehicles, dignitaries, Scout troops, the Wilton High School band, and local organizations and sports teams.

Parks and Grounds crews are getting Wilton Center ready. Credit: GOOD Morning Wilton

The parade starts at 21 River Rd. at 10 a.m. and proceeds through Wilton Center. Marchers will slow to salute the flags at the American Legion Post and the Veterans Memorial Green, and then make their way up Ridgefield Rd. to Hillside Cemetery (165 Ridgefield Rd.) for a Memorial Service that is expected to start around 11 a.m.

The Memorial Service will begin with opening remarks from Parade Committee Chairman Jim Newton, followed by the National Anthem played by the Wilton High School Band. Then Wilton First Selectman Toni Boucher will read the Town Proclamation.

Grand Marshal: Alex Ruskewich (Posthumously)

Alex Ruskewich is the Honorary Grand Marshal of the 2025 Memorial Day Parade. Credit: contributed

The Honorary Grand Marshall for this year’s parade is Alex Ruskewich, a US Army veteran who served during the Cuban Crisis of 1961-62 and passed away earlier this month. Representing him for the parade will be his wife Ritva Ruskewich, his daughter Maria Aretakis, and his grandson John Aretakis.

Ruskewichgraduated from City College of New York (CCNY) in 1959 and was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He entered the U.S. Army in February 1960 as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers and was assigned as a construction engineer in the 585th Engineer Company at Fort Belvoir, VA. He was promoted to first lieutenant and then to unit commander.

After completing his active duty in 1962, Ruskewich earned an MBA from Columbia University. He lived in Wilton for over 40 years while working for IBM and was an active member of the American Legion Post 86.

Keynote Speaker: Robert Wilby

Robert Wilby is the keynote speaker for the 2025 Wilton Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony. Credit: Contributed

This year’s Keynote Speaker is Robert Wilby, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Wilby joined the Marine Corps in February 1968 at age 17, needing his mother’s signature to join. After basic training at Paris Island, SC and advanced infantry training at Camp LeJeune, NC, Wilby was sent to Vietnam. His company was based in Leatherneck Square, an area just below the DMZ and their job was constant patrol of this area. Wilby was involved in three major battles plus many smaller firefights, participating in repeated heavy infantry combat for over a year before he was discharged and returned to the states.

He then completed his studies, and has worked primarily in construction, although he was also involved with the building of sailboats as a deep-sea diver. For the last five years he has worked as a counselor for the Veterans Administration, counseling veterans in substance abuse and recovery programs. Wilby has lived in Wilton for over 40 years with both of his children graduating from Wilton High School.

Following Wilby’s speech will be a wreath laying and a reading of the names of Wilton veterans who died this past year. WHS student Isabella Kaoud will then Sing “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America,” Rev. Dr. Tommy Watson of St. Matthews Church will give the final benediction, and bagpiper Drew Kennedy will play “Amazing Grace.”

If inclement weather forces cancellation of the parade, the remembrance ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Wilton Congregational Church (70 Ridgefield Rd.). An announcement will be made on the Town of Wilton’s website and through the town’s emergency email alert system. GOOD Morning Wilton will also post any notice.

The all-volunteer parade committee receives no municipal funds and instead rely on private donations to pay for parade expenses like banners, bagpipers, porta-johns, wreaths and flags. Each year, the committee places flags on over 500 military graves in Wilton. Anyone who would like to donate can mail checks, made out to the “Memorial Day Parade Fund,” to Memorial Day 2024 Parade Fund, P.O. Box 75, Wilton CT 06897.

Weekend Schedule

Saturday, May 24

  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Village Market will hold its Annual Boar’s Head Hotdog Cookout. Stop by the tent in the Village Market parking lot (108 Old Ridgefield Rd.), for hotdogs and drinks for only $0.50 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans eat for free.

Sunday, May 25

  • 8:30 a.m.: The Wilton Education Foundation (WEF) will once again hold its annual Get Smart for Wilton 5K on Sunday, May 25. The chip-timed race will start at the Wilton High School track, continue on a flat, USATF-certified course through the roads and trails of Wilton High School and adjacent Allen’s Meadow, and finish back at the WHS track. Runners or walkers of all levels and ages are invited to participate. All proceeds benefit the Wilton Public Schools. There is also a virtual run option for participants who want to run on their own.
    • Registration: Register for the 5K on WEF’s website
      • Pre-registered participants receive a free t-shirt.  
    • Fees: Adults $44.30; 13 and under $28.29
    • Race-Day Registration: May 24-26 Adults $49.64; 13 and under $28.29
    • Virtual Run Option (no t-shirt): $28.29
    • All 13 and under finishers get a frozen treat at the end! (available for purchase for others)
    • Cash prizes for top finishers!
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Village Market will hold its Annual Boar’s Head Hotdog Cookout. Stop by the tent in the Village Market parking lot (108 Old Ridgefield Rd.), for hotdogs and drinks for only $0.50 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans eat for free.

Monday, May 26

  • 8-10:30 a.m.: Families are welcome to begin their day at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, at the Wilton Congregational Church (70 Ridgefield Rd.) from 8-10:30 a.m, rain or shine. The cost is $15 for adults, $8 for kids, and children under age 5 eat for free; a family maximum is set at $50.
  • 9:30 a.m.: Wilton Police and CERT will close the following roads:
    • Ridgefield Rd. between Danbury Rd./Rte. 7 and Drum Hill Rd. will be closed to all traffic
    • Horseshoe Rd. from Wolfpit Rd. to the Town Center will be closed to all traffic; 
    • Belden Hill Rd. between Drum Hill Rd. and Ridgefield Rd. will be closed to all traffic. 
  • 9:30 a.m.: River Rd. and Old Ridgefield Rd. in Wilton Center will be closed to traffic. People planning on marching should gather at the back of the Kimco shopping center parking lot (21 River Rd.). Everyone needs to register and sign in.
  • 10 a.m.: The Memorial Day Parade begins from 21 River Rd. and then proceeds through Wilton Center. This year’s parade theme is “Honor Their Sacrifice.”There will be veterans, bagpipers, military vehicles, antique cars, emergency vehicles, dignitaries, Scout troops, the Wilton High School band, and local organizations and sports teams marching. They will slow march and salute the flags at the American Legion Post and the Veterans Memorial Green, and then make their way up Ridgefield Rd. to Hillside Cemetery (165 Ridgefield Rd.) for a Memorial Service that is expected to start around 11 a.m.
  • 11 a.m.: As the parade ends, Dial-A-Ride vans will be stationed at the Wilton Congregational Church to take seniors and those with disabilities to the Hillside ceremony. There also will be a pickup area at the Wilton Congregational Church for parents picking up their children and for those not continuing to Hillside. The church will be giving out water.
  • 11 a.m.: The Memorial Service Program will begin at Hillside Cemetery (165 Ridgefield Rd.)
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Village Market will hold its Annual Boar’s Head Hotdog Cookout. Stop by the tent in the Village Market parking lot (108 Old Ridgefield Rd.), for hotdogs and drinks for only $0.50 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans eat for free. The store is open on Monday, May 26 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • 11 a.m.: Once the tail of the Parade passes Center St., Wilton Police and CERT will begin a limited street opening. Horseshoe Rd. will be reopened to allow vehicles into the Town center. Ridgefield Rd. will also be reopened between Danbury Rd./Rte. 7 and Center St.
  • 12:30 p.m.: Old Ridgefield Rd., Hubbard Rd., and Ridgefield Rd. between Center St. and Drum Hill Rd. will remain closed until the conclusion of the event at Hillside Cemetery. It is expected that all roads will be reopened by approximately 12:30 p.m.