Did you see the snowflakes in Wilton Center Wednesday? We’re not referring to real snow, but the 3-foot high lighted snowflakes that were purchased by the Wilton Garden Club‘s effort called “Let’s Make Wilton Beautiful.” The group collected enough private donations to purchase 27 snowflakes (at $350 apiece) and Wilton’s Parks Department began mounting them on Wilton Center lampposts on Wednesday.
The snowflakes are accompanied by garland, lights and red bows on alternating lampposts that run along Center St., Old Ridgefield Rd. and a portion of River Rd. (stretching from Ridgefield Rd. to Wilton Hardware). The other 27 lampposts will be decorated with the garland, lights, bows and the navy blue banners with white snowflakes that were purchased two years ago, also through private donations.
“We believe these festive 3-foot snowflakes will add much needed holiday spirit and joy to the evening sky,” explained Suzanne Knutson, co-chair of the effort, at last Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.
Garden Club member Haiku Durden (pictured here, with her daughter Olivia, 9, and fellow Garden Club member Lindsay Fontana with her sons Luke, 11, and Nick, 9) said that the group was able to purchase only a portion of the snowflakes that are needed. The club hopes that Wilton residents will help make it possible to complete the project.
“We collected enough money from members and friends to purchase the snowflakes up right now but we need more to light up the streets of downtown Wilton.,” she says, adding, “Please help us spread some holiday cheer and donate.”
In front of the Bd. of Selectmen, Knutson said the timing is critical to fundraise now. “We have a real urgency to raise the money quickly because the manufacturer of the snowflakes runs a 2-for-1 sale in January, so we can purchase them for half price if we act right away,” Knutson explains.
Contributions can be made through the Wilton Garden Club, either on the Garden Club website or by check made out to Wilton Garden Club and sent to PO Box 121 in Wilton. All donations are tax deductible and will be acknowledged. Committee members say that while each snowflake costs $350, they hope donors will contribute whatever they can. “Every donation, large or small, makes a positive difference in enhancing the beauty and festiveness of our town,” Knutson says.