As part of the #WiltonIsWhereYouBelong campaign, the Wilton Coalition for Youth has announced a Community Cultural Celebration, an event that organizers hope will bring together a wide array of community members to showcase their diverse, vibrant traditions and share their rich cultures and heritage.

With the event scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from 12-3:30 p.m. at the Riverbrook Regional/Wilton YMCA, organizers are inviting Wilton residents to participate and “represent their country of origin or any culture that holds a meaningful place in their heart.”

The event will feature performances showcasing traditional music, dance, and art; cuisines from around the world; and interactive exhibits for participants to experience cultural experiences firsthand.

Spearheaded by the Wilton Youth Council, the Wilton Coalition for Youth is an initiative uniting a myriad of Wilton organizations, Town departments and individuals who serve youth and families in Wilton who are coordinating efforts aimed at preventing substance misuse and promoting mental health and the emotional well-being of Wilton’s youth and families.

Coalition member Lara Paschalidis is one of the people planning the cultural celebration. She said that celebrating the cultural diversity of Wilton’s community members is something that will bring the community as a whole closer.

“Through this event, we are hoping to strengthen social bonds within our community, by sharing our unique perspectives to promote understanding and acceptance of the different cultures in our town,” Pascalidis said. She added that it will encourage a broader sense of belonging in a town that embraces different cultural heritages, and also deepen relationships for individuals within their own communities.”

Riverbrook Regional YMCA Member Service Coordinator Suma Iyer is one of the organizers. In her 20 years living in Wilton, she said believes Wilton is on a “positive trajectory” in terms of cultural awareness but may still be a work in progress — something she’s encouraged by.

“The town’s welcoming environment for young families, with its focus on good education and community cohesion, sets the stage for more cultural openness. However, embracing distinct cultures takes time and intention, especially in smaller, more suburban areas,” Iyer said. 

Wilton, she added, is in a transitional phase, where there is a growing recognition of the value in embracing distinct cultures, but more could be done.

“[We need] to actively involve and support cultural initiatives — through partnerships with local schools, businesses and residents from different backgrounds. Community leaders and organizations, like the Y, could really play a key role in pushing this forward by creating ongoing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange,” Iyer said.  

She called highlighting the many cultures and celebrating everyone’s heritage in one space “powerful,” and said it could stand as a model for other communities.

“Wilton’s reputation as a family-friendly town, with its welcoming atmosphere for all, makes it the perfect place for something like this,” Iyer said. “I can see this kind of cultural celebration growing in the future. If it keeps engaging everyone in Wilton and even neighboring towns, it could turn into a much larger event over time, even a yearly tradition that people of all ages, from all backgrounds, look forward to.”

Wilton Youth Council Executive Director Chandra Ring said the event will be just as powerful for Wilton’s younger residents and fits well into the #WiltonIsWhereYouBelong campaign aimed at promoting inclusivity and combating hate within the Wilton community.

“This is an opportunity to bring community members of all ages together in celebration, sharing traditions and learning from those around us,” Ring said. 

Community members can register to represent a country, culture or heritage with which they have a close connection by completing a Google form online. For questions about the event email Paschalidis or Ring.