The Memorial Day Parade committee has worked hard to plan this year’s festivities and commemorations, to ensure that all of Wilton remembers and pays tribute to American servicemen and women who are no longer living.

The parade begins at 10 a.m., and marchers will start at 21 River Rd., led by this year’s Grand Marshall George Ongley. The procession will march through Wilton Center, turning up Old Ridgefield Rd. past the war memorial and continuing up Ridgefield Rd., past the Congregational Church to Hillside Cemetery. There Rev. Shanon White will give the invocation, followed by the keynote speaker, Tom Moore, adjutant of the American Legion Post 86, who will say a few words about this patriotic day. The names of Wilton veterans who have died this past year will be read and a bell will toll for each name.

The Memorial Day Parade is a wonderful Wilton tradition, featuring participation from so many different groups. Parade-goers will see many of Wilton’s veterans marching, some riding in military vehicles or antique cars, and accompanied by bagpipers, as well as the Wilton High School band and other musical groups. Local officials also march, and Wilton’s first responders will participate with some of their vehicles as well. Many local service and civic organizations will be represented, including Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; softball, baseball and lacrosse teams; Ambler Farm; the Wilton Garden Club; the Wilton Wahoos; and more.

The 2018 committee is under the leadership of USMC veteran Jim Newton, who took over the reins from Ray Tobiassen. Bud Boucher is serving in his first year as committee treasurer.

The parade committee receives no funding from the town so donations are always welcomed by individuals or companies and can be mailed to “Wilton Parade Committee” at PO Box 75, Wilton, CT 06897.

Early families can enjoy the traditional pancake breakfast at the Wilton Congregational Church (70 Ridgefield Rd.), sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Wilton. The breakfast runs from 8-10 a.m., and is at an ideal spot on the parade route after breakfast is over.

In addition, the Coldwell Banker real estate office (77 Old Ridgefield Rd.) will be giving away American flags, balloons or patriotic tattoos to parade-goers who stop by during the parade.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled, but the services will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Wilton Congregational Church. GOOD Morning Wilton will carry an alert if there is any schedule change.

Pictured above (L-R), main photo, above:  Pam Brown, Bing Ventres, Jeff Turner, Ray Tobiassen, Jim Newton, Bill Glass, Bud Boucher, Bud Taylor and Coleen Amero. Not present:  Ann Klotz and Judd Mott.