There is something for everyone at this year’s Wilton Go Green Festival, proving that sustainability is fun. From live music to great food to energy efficient vehicles and a dog parade, the 2017 WGG Festival–the 7th annual environmental event–is a GOOD family way to spend the day.

The Wilton Go Green Festival is co-hosted by Wilton Go Green and the Wilton Library Association. GOOD Morning Wilton is pleased to once again be an event sponsor.

This year’s festival is being held this Sunday, May 7 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and will be centered around the Wilton Town Green and the Wilton Library. It is truly an amazing community-wide effort celebrating green living and the many ways Wilton is modeling local sustainability.

Activities and Events

In addition to the exhibitors and vendors who will be participating, there are many family-friendly activities and events, including:

  • The Westport Electric Car Club’s EV Rally drivers will arrive for a Pit Stop from 12-1 p.m., with dozens of gleaming, energy efficient vehicles, including the newest in Tesla’s and BMW’s electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Live music will fill the air throughout the day as Wilton bands and soloists perform, including Arthur Lipner’s Wilton Steel Band.
  • The Gustave Whitehead–first in flight replica plane–will be on display all day in the parking lot.
  • A festival favorite, the Wilton Go Green Dog Parade will begin at 2 p.m., with registration from 1-1:45 p.m.. The furry friends will strut their stuff through the Town Green in exchange for treats for all. After the parade, all participants may participate in a contest and lucky winners will receive prizes in 10 categories.
  • The amazing Cyril the Sorcerer, a wonderful magician who brings to his audiences meaningful messages about natural resource protection while performing brilliant magic tricks, will stroll through the festival and also provide special Magic Performances beginning at 12:30 p.m..
  • New to the list of children’s activities is a Solar Powered Merry-Go-Round and a Wilton Fire Engine.
  • Education about nature is key. Perennial festival favorites, Woodcock Nature Center and Trout Unlimited will continue strengthening the bonds between kids and nature, instilling in them a sense of wonder and respect for our planet and all its inhabitants.

These activities complement the initiatives that emerged out of WGG’s November Symposium and follow-up Community Forum, which will be exhibited at the festival as well. Attendees will be able to learn about the land, energy, water, food, materials management and transportation efforts taking root in the community, and can sign a Pledge to become involved with any of the programs.

Food

This year’s festival will be a Zero Food Waste event. Festival-goers will be able to feast on Cowabunga burgers (locally sourced, grass fed), Ben’s Ice Cream and Wilton’s own College Creamery. Special signage, education and containers will direct everyone to dispose of food waste properly.

Sponsors

Wilton Go Green’s sponsors are companies rooted in the mission of environmental sustainability. “For true sustainability to take root, we need programs and initiatives that are easy to implement, solve a problem and are cost effective,” said Wilton Go Green’s executive director, Daphne Dixon.

According to festival organizers, “Wilton Go Green Festival Title Sponsor, Home Comfort Practice is a prime example of a company that offers a great service that over time, saves both money and energy through its Home Energy Assessments. Emerald Sponsor, The Junkluggers’ mission is to save the Earth,” one piece of junk at a time.” By 2020, they aim to donate and recycle 100% of all items they remove from residential and commercial jobs, setting the standard in the United States for eco-friendly disposal practices. Realty Seven, a Wilton Go Green Platinum Green Business Designee, is also an Emerald Sponsor. Aquarion Water Company is a Silver Sponsor.

Wilton Go Green invites everyone in Wilton to the 7th Annual Wilton Go Green Festival, for a terrific opportunity to learn what is going on in town, how to become involved in projects and initiatives that are important to many, and to connect to the sense of community that is so treasured in Wilton.

Incorporated in 2010, WGG is a 501(c)(3) created by a group of citizens to engage the community in conservation and sustainability practices. The group complements the work of the Wilton Energy Commission, in collaboration with Town officials and staff, local schools, and also with kindred local and statewide environmental organizations. To learn more about Wilton Go Green and to get the most enjoyment from the festival, visit the Wilton Go Green website.