That collective wail you hear is the upset cry of hundreds of Wilton children, who are hearing that this weekend’s Miller-Driscoll Carnival is being cancelled. Organizers made the tough call to cancel the carnival out of concern for safety.

Tuesday afternoon, Miller-Driscoll PTA president Tammy Thornton and Carnival Committee chair Melissa-Jean Rotini emailed M-D School families about the carnival cancellation. They wrote that recent excessive rains have saturated the schools’ fields so much that rides started sinking into the ground as the carnival company began to set up. It was determined that not only would the rides damage the fields under such conditions, but that sinking into the ground could unbalance the rides and cause a potentially dangerous scenario for riders.

“In the interest of safety and providing the best experience for our families and community, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the carnival. We will be sending out the new date, anticipated to be in Spring 2019, as soon as it is approved,” Thornton and Rotini wrote.

Some individuals did purchase ride access in advance. Organizers say that all pre-sale ride bands will be honored when the carnival is rescheduled. Anyone who wants a refund can request one, however, on or before Friday, Nov. 9, via a Goggle Form.

For anyone looking for alternative activities, GOOD Morning Wilton’s Event Calendar lists several events that are scheduled throughout the weekend. Among them are the Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt in Wilton Center; a Fire by Friction Workshop at Woodcock Nature Center; and the BYOP! (Bring Your Own Pumpkin!) Pumpkin Carving with the Kiwanis Club of Wilton and Wilton Historical Society, among others. Check out the entire Event Calendar for loads of great Wilton things to do for all ages!

Below is the email sent to M-D families by the PTA:

Dear Parents,

As you may know, recently many sports practices have been cancelled and natural grass fields closed due to the rain and mud conditions on our town fields. You may have also noticed the carnival company beginning to set up for our big carnival fundraiser. Yesterday, it was discovered that the M-D field is so saturated with water that the rides were sinking into the ground. Not only would this damage the field, but when the rides move, the sinking could cause improper balancing of the rides, and potentially dangerous conditions for our children.

Therefore, in the interest of safety and providing the best experience for our families and community, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the carnival. We will be sending out the new date, anticipated to be in Spring 2019, as soon as it is approved.

All pre-sale ride bands will be honored during the rescheduled dates; however, if you would like to request a refund, you may do so on or before November 9, [online].

We at the PTA are first and foremost concerned with the best interests of the children in our community. We hope that everyone understands the need for this postponement and will continue to support the carnival. If you have any questions, you may email the Carnival Committee.

Thank you,

Tammy Thornton, Miller-Driscoll PTA President

Melissa-Jean Rotini, Carnival Committee Chair