Celebrating July Fourth in Wilton is a classic way to enjoy the holiday with friends and family and celebrate the nation’s Independence Day. The day is marked by beloved Wilton traditions. GOOD Morning Wilton has compiled Wilton’s public events as well as listed other need-to-know information, below.
July 4th Events
8 a.m.: Freedom Run Road Race
Wilton High School Track
Open to all ages, this 5K race put on by the Wilton Parks and Recreation Department is the perfect opportunity to get outside and get some exercise in a fun environment.
Multiple race categories are available to choose from, including junior, youth and adult. Register online through the Parks & Rec online registration system. Participant fees are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 16 and under. All participants will receive a race t-shirt. Advance registration is encouraged, but same-day registration is allowed. Participants should arrive by 8:15 a.m., and the race begins at 8:30 a.m.
12 p.m.: Frivolity Cup Softball Game — Republicans vs. Democrats
Wilton High School Varsity Softball Field
Every year the Wilton Republican Town Committee and Wilton Democratic Town Committee put aside their differences on July 4th and instead agree to have some fun on the softball diamond. The teams battle it out for bragging rights and the Frivolity Cup trophy.
5-9:30 p.m.: 4th of July Fireworks
Wilton High School Sports Complex
The DJ will begin playing music at 5 p.m. and fireworks are set to start at dusk around 9-9:15 p.m.
Some residents turn out early to stake out a spot on the field below the stadium. Celebrants bring blankets, chairs and picnics or visit the several food trucks on site.
Propane containers and fireworks of any kind, including sparklers, are not permitted at the event.
The event is free to attend but there is a fee for parking. While parking passes must be purchased in advance for reserved parking lots, Parks & Rec has announced that all advanced parking passes are now sold out. The advance reserved lots include the Rte. 7 Tennis Court parking lot, Route 7/School Rd. gravel parking lot, Cider Mill School parking lot, Wilton Board of Education parking lot, and Lilly Way athletic fields parking lot.
Vehicles without a valid parking pass will not be allowed to park in any of the reserved, pre-paid parking lots even if space permits.
On July 4, parking for a cash-only fee of $20 is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the following parking lots: Comstock Community Center, Middlebrook School, Kristine Lilly Field/WHS Senior Lot, Stamford Health (372 Danbury Rd.), and Allen’s Meadow. Same day passes cost $20 and will be available for purchase from the checkpoints on Rte. 7 as well as Middlebrook Farm Rd.
This year, the Wilton YMCA (404 Danbury Rd.) has also made parking available for the July 4th fireworks (at the YMCA parking lot across from Wilton High School). The cost to park is $20 for members and $40 for nonmembers. Parking passes are available for purchase online.
Wilton Police said the department will have uniformed officers onsite and will maintain a visible presence within the Wilton High School grounds, including strictly enforcing laws against underage drinking.
Please drive slowly, and pay close attention to pedestrian traffic and Wilton Police officers / Wilton CERT staff who will be directing traffic.
Ambler Farm will be closed the evening of July 4th in the interest of safety. The fields and parking areas are not lit, so Ambler Farm cannot safely accommodate visitors after dark and all farm parking areas will be closed that evening. Parking is not permitted on Hurlbutt St.
Road closures: Starting at 7 p.m., Wilton Police will close Rte. 7/Danbury Rd. between Pimpewaug Rd. and Cannon Rd. Traffic will be diverted through Pimpewaug Rd. until the fireworks have ended and the parking lots have been cleared. No through traffic will be allowed except for tractor trailers, residents who live within the closed portion of the roadway and parking pass holders.
Wilton Police and Wilton CERT will be directing traffic.
Wilton Police said that parking is not permitted on Cannon Rd. or Pimpewaug Rd. Vehicles illegally parked along the detour route will be towed.
In the event of inclement weather for these events, call the Parks and Recreation hotline at 203.454.5188 for updates. The rain date for the fireworks will be Friday, July 5at 9:30 p.m. Notifications will be made on the town’s website.
Editor’s note: the article has been updated with additional safety information from the Wilton Police Department.