Wilton Pride, in partnership with Wilton Library, will be bringing back the second annual Wilton Pride “Be You” Festival on Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Building upon last year’s great success, this year’s festival will feature music, performing arts, exhibits, food trucks including a distillery and brewery, and much more on both the Town Green and at Wilton Library.
“This annual festival is a place where our differences are celebrated, our voices are heard, and our diversity binds us in unity! This festival is about love and acceptance. A tradition reminding us that visibility, solidarity and inclusivity are not just ideals, but essential for a harmonious society. We are lucky to have Wilton Library partner with us in this tradition,” Wilton Pride Founder Farah Masani said.
“Wilton Library is honored to co-host the Wilton Pride “Be You” Festival for a second year. It is a wonderful example of Wilton coming together to demonstrate our commitment to be welcoming and supportive of all members of our community. We invite all to celebrate with us at the Library on June 1,” Wilton Library Executive Director Caroline Mandler said.
For this year’s Pride Festival, Wilton Pride and Wilton Library invited teens ages 13-18 to design an original logo that best represented the theme “Unity in Diversity.” The organizations announced Wilton High School student Piper Bittner was the winner of the design contest.
“My Wilton Pride logo design, Be You, encapsulates the essence of individuality and unity. The uplifted arms in the ‘Y’ and ‘U’ symbolize the celebration of authenticity and self-expression within our diverse community. The pride rainbow linking the letters represents the unbreakable bond that connects us all, embracing our differences and empowering each individual to be their true selves with pride,” Bittner explained.
Organizers promise a day of fun and activities for all ages:
Activities at the Town Green — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Music, festivities, performers, swag and merchandise, vendors, giant puppets, balloons, bubbles, photo booth, drum circle, fun, and a lot of love
- 12 p.m.: Opening ceremony, keynote speaker, and flag raising
- 12:30 p.m.: Live music by Raphael Davison
- 1-2 p.m.: Live performances by a special “surprise guest”
- 2-3 p.m.: Story hour at the gazebo
- 3 p.m.: Closing performance
Activities at Wilton Library — 12:30-4 p.m. in the Brubeck Room and courtyard
Interactive experiences, art, exhibits, and more fun including an oral history project, a “Living Library,” art, crafts, story time, and much more.
- 10:30 a.m.: Story time in the Children’s Library
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Food Trucks at Wilton Library
- Barrelsmith
- Bubble & Brew
- College Creamery
- Freddy’s Platos
- Spacecat Brewing Company
- 12:30 p.m.: Scavenger Hunt begins: Check in at the Library to start the Be You Scavenger Hunt featuring Adopt-A-Shop partners throughout town center. Participants will have until Sunday, June 2 at 9 p.m. to submit their entries. Winner(s) will be selected the week of June 3 and announced on Wilton Pride and Wilton Library social channels.
- 1-2 p.m.: Living Library
- Ongoing Activities
- Magnet station
- Button making
- Pride bracelets
- Flag coloring
- 2024 Community Mural
- Be You Logo Exhibit
- You Are Not Alone Art Exhibit
- LGBTQ+ book display
- Oral history project
Participating vendors and community partners include ASML, Barrelsmith, Bubble & Brew, College Creamery, Raphael Davison, Freddy’s Platos, JM Designs, Justin Baiad Photography, Kids in Crisis, Laura Face Painting, Middlebrook GSA, Middlebrook PTA, The Painted Cookie, Alana Strock, Riverbrook Regional YMCA, Rolfing Structural Integration CT & NYC, Spacecat Brewing Company, Szeize the day, Tour For Life, WildBloom Skincare, Wilton Democratic Town Committee, Wilton High School GSA, Wilton Historical Society, Wilton Youth Council, and Woodcock Nature Center.
For more information, visit Wilton Pride online or Masani via email or at 512.431.1515.