Wilton Pride, in partnership with Wilton Library, will once again host the annual Wilton Pride Be You Festival on Sunday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Town Green.

This year’s festival will feature an array of activities including music, live mural painting, performing arts, exhibits, food, drinks and much more, all celebrating community collaboration and belonging through partnerships with numerous local businesses and organizations.

There will also be an artisan market for the first time at the festival, with vendors offer an array of handcrafted goods, including vintage clothing and jewelry, baked goods, floral arrangements, dog treats, crochet items, designer candles, vintage home goods, custom Wilton-printed items, stationery, art, photography, fair trade decor, textiles, permanent jewelry, polymer clay earrings, soaps, and wallpaper.

“The Library is honored to co-sponsor the Pride Festival for a third year,” Wilton Library Executive Director Caroline Mandler said. “We are so appreciative of all of the support from the many community partners who make this happen, and we look forward to seeing everyone on June 1 as we celebrate together and show what it means to be a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community.”

“Belonging is at the heart of a strong community. When people feel welcomed, safe, and connected, it makes a difference in every part of our lives. We’re proud to keep building a Wilton where everyone can find a place to be themselves,” Wilton Pride Board Member Kim Fellman Cohen said.

In an effort to foster community collaboration and belonging, this year Wilton Pride welcomes the Wilton Youth Council’s Coalition for Youth to participate in the Festival focusing on wellness and self-care activities. The Wilton Coalition for Youth is a network of organizations, town departments, and individuals dedicated to preventing substance misuse and promoting mental health within the community.

Wilton Pride’s collaboration with the Coalition for Youth furthers the work of the Coalition’s #WiltonIsWhereYouBelong campaign, which aims to cultivate a stronger sense of belonging and promote inclusivity for all Wilton residents, regardless of background, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Organizers said the Be You Festival offers a valuable platform to connect with the community and highlight the Coalition’s ongoing efforts to support the well-being of Wilton’s youth and families.

Belonging is the them of an interactive art project that will be led by Artist Brian Kaspr as part of the #WiltonIsWhereYouBelong campaign. Together Kaspr and participating festival attendees will create a collaborative and traveling mural, which organizers plan to exhibit at various community organizations throughout Wilton, including the Library, Wilton Congregational Church, Wilton schools, the YMCA, Trackside Teen Center and beyond.

“Art has a powerful ability to cross boundaries, bringing people together through shared creative experiences and creating a strong sense of community belonging,” said Caroline Hughes, a Wilton Pride board member and senior minister of the Wilton Congregational Church. “This interactive art wall will serve as a vibrant and evolving testament to the collective spirit of belonging in Wilton, offering a dynamic way for residents of all ages and backgrounds to connect and feel included.”

Schedule of activities

Activities at Town Green (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

  • 11 a.m.: Festival begins — Music, festivities, vendors offering swag and merchandise, balloons, bubbles, photo booth and more
  • 11:30 a.m.: Welcome yoga sun salutation movement
  • 12 p.m.: Opening Ceremony featuring a song by Wilton High School graduate, actress and singer Aine Duffy, followed by speeches and a flag raising by graduating Wilton High School senior and GSA President Lucy Jane Shultz, and Wilton Superintendent of Schools Kevin Smith
  • 12:30 p.m.: Live drum circle
  • 12:30 p.m.: Be You Scavenger Hunt returns by popular demand. Participants can begin scavenger hunt by checking in at the Wilton Library booth on the Town Green starting at 12:30 p.m. The hunt will feature participating “Adopt-A-Shop” partners throughout the town center. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, June 29 at 9 p.m. The winner(s) will be selected the week of June 30 and announced on Wilton Pride’s social media channels.
  • 1:30 p.m.: Mid-day energizing breathing movements and yoga session
  • 2 p.m.: Story time at Wilton Library in the Children’s Room
  • 3 p.m.: Closing performance; community dance party

A variety of food and beverage options will be available at the Wilton Town Green from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

In addition to some participating vendors, several non-profit and municipal community organizations will be partnering with Wilton Pride, including Block Party USA, Catalyst CT | The Hub, Lighthouse, NAMI, Norwalk River Valley Trail, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Town of Wilton — Voter Registration, Wilton Democratic Town Committee, Wilton Library, Wilton Loves, Wilton Police Department, Wilton Social Services, Wilton Youth Council and Woodcock Nature Center.