The Wilton Football Boosters Association, the Parks and Recreation Department and the First Selectman’s Office invite residents to a Community Bonfire on Friday, Nov. 17 from 6-9 p.m. at the Cider Mill softball field.
The idea for the bonfire came about through conversations between Wilton Football Association president Brian Colburn, member Joe Polito and first selectman Lynne Vanderslice earlier in the fall. The Association had hoped to resurrect the former tradition of a Homecoming eve bonfire, but without sufficient time to plan the organizers instead decided to table the bonfire idea until later in November.
“I remember the great fun I had as a kid attending the Homecoming bonfires,” recalls Polito. “Hearing Lynne talk about encouraging development of community-wide events, this seemed a natural partnership.”
Vanderslice agrees. “Everyone, no matter their age, loves a bonfire. It is a great way to bring a cross section of the community together.”
Parks and Recreation staff, who have previously demonstrated their fire building skills with a smaller bonfire at Ambler, will be on hand to build and maintain this one. The Wilton Football Association is funding the cost of the evening, which is being viewed as a trial run for next year.
“We hope everyone will turn out. A successful event this year will encourage the return of the Homecoming bonfire next year,” Colburn says.
In addition to a traditional bonfire, the evening will feature music. Any non profit organization interested in selling soft drinks and snacks should email Jackie Rochester in the First Selectman’s Office.
Saturday, Nov. 18 serves as the rain date. There is plenty of parking in the areas surrounding the field at Cider Mill, near the tennis courts and in the high school parking lots.