This Monday, May 29, is Memorial Day, a day to honor the dedicated U.S. military members who sacrificed their lives fighting to retain our rights as Americans. Various weekend activities are planned around Wilton to commemorate these heroes along with festivities for residents to enjoy during the long weekend. GOOD Morning Wilton is your definitive guide to everything that’s happening over Memorial Day Weekend in Wilton.
Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 29, 10 a.m.
Leading the traditional procession as 2017 Grand Marshall is former Wilton resident Vincent Von Zwehl, a member of Wilton’s American Legion Post 86 and veteran of the Navy. Starting at 10 a.m., the parade will march from the staging area at 21 River Rd. (near Wilton Hardware), along Old Ridgefield Rd., past the Veterans Memorial, up Ridgefield Rd., past the Wilton Congregational Church and ending at the Hillside Cemetery. There, the parade keynote speaker will address the gathered crowds to further honor the veterans, both living and deceased.
Village Market Annual Hot Dog Sale
Friday, May 26th–Monday, May 29
All weekend, Village Market will be holding its Annual Boar’s Head Hotdog Cookout. Stop by the tent in the Village Market parking lot, located at 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 29 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m..
Wilton Rotary Club Arts and Crafts Show
Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The Wilton Rotary Club will be holding its 27th Annual Arts and Crafts Show. Held at the Wilton Town Green, the show features up to 25 vendors offering a wide variety of handmade items. The yearly show is always an opportunity to discover new artists and beautiful handcrafts. The show will be held rain or shine, and there is no cost to browse, shop and enjoy.
Wilton Education Foundation’s ‘Get Smart for Wilton 5K’
Sunday, May 28; Registration begins at 8 a.m., Race starts at 9 a.m.
The Wilton Education Foundation holds its 9th Annual Get Smart for Wilton 5K on Sunday, May 28. This family-friendly charity event is a chip-timed race on a USATF certified course and attracts runners of all levels, from elite racers to beginners, local runners, teachers, seniors, moms, dads and kids, all raising visibility and funds to support the Wilton Public Schools.
The fundraiser’s 5K route starts and ends at the Wilton High School track, and features Cider Mill and Wilton High School prominently along the course. Cash prizes are given to the top three male and female runners, and awards go to the top three boys and girls under 13. Registration is open online. Pre-registration fees are $27 for adults, $25 for runners 13 and younger; race-day registration starts at 8 a.m. and costs $30 for adults and $25 for runners ages 13 and younger.
Pre-register online for the Get Smart 5K and receive a free JoyRide class or 10% off a 10-pack of classes!
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
Monday, May 29, 8-10 a.m.
A tradition that is more than 35 years old, the Kiwanis Club of Wilton will hold its annual pancake breakfast at the Wilton Congregational Church (70 Ridgefield Rd.), to start the day’s festivities. Enjoy pancakes, sausages, blueberries and coffee, all served to you by the men and women of the Wilton Kiwanis Club.
Kick for Nick’s ‘Nick Madaras Memorial Day Soccer Challenge’
Monday, May 29, 11 a.m – 2 p.m.
The 11th Annual Nick Madaras Memorial Day Challenge is a free soccer event that honors America’s fallen heroes, in the name of one of those fallen soldiers from Wilton.
Growing up in Wilton, Nick Madaras was an avid soccer player, coach, and referee. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from Wilton High School, and while home on leave during the summer of 2006, Nick told his family about all the Iraqi children he saw playing soccer. If balls were scarce, he saw them playing with tin cans. Nick thought if he collected balls to give to the children, his gift would be a way to connect through a shared love of soccer despite the atrocities of war. He never got the chance–on Sept. 3, 2006, Nick was killed in Iraq. He was only 19 years old.
Now in its 11th year, the event features teams in round-robin play, including one team called the Ancient Warriors, a men’s team in the over-40 division of a statewide soccer league, with many players who are Wilton dads. Another team is made up of Nick’s high school teammates, affectionately called Wilton Blue.
The match takes place on Kristine Lilly Field, (Wilton High School) immediately following Wilton’s Memorial Day parade. Admission is free.
As a tribute to Nick, attendees are asked to bring a soccer ball to place in the collection net alongside Lilly Field.
Saturday, May 27, 7 p.m.
This year, for the first time, Kick for Nick and the Wilton Ancient Warriors are kicking off the weekend with a special event Saturday night at Tavern on 7. Come to Tavern for food, drink, prizes, auctions, and a general celebration of life, the beautiful game and lifetime friendships, while at the same time raising money for Kick for Nick. Guest/celebrity bartenders from the Wilton Ancient Warriors FC and Wilton Blue will be in attendance to dispense drinks, and raffle/auction off prizes (sport memorabilia, professional match tickets, and other items). All raffle ticket sales, bar tips, proceeds from donated beer kegs and individual contributions will go directly to the Kick for Nick foundation.
Wilton Family Y Open House
Monday, May 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
As it does every year, the Wilton Family YMCA will hold its annual Memorial Day Open House, opening the entire facility free to the public. The open house is scheduled for Monday, May 29, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m..
The community is invited to take a swim in the 50 meter outdoor pool, get some sun at Kiwanis Park’s pond and beach, play in the children’s outdoor splash pool, work out in the fitness center, shoot some baskets in the gym and climb on the outdoor playgrounds. All visitors are asked to check-in at the main front desk in the lobby.
While there will be no group fitness classes or babysitting offered on Memorial Day Monday, the other areas of the facility will be open according to the following schedule:
50M Pool: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fitness Center: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pond/Splash Pool: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Weather permitting)