Wilton Prepares for First Community Cultural Celebration and Cultural Restaurant Specials

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

The event will take place on Saturday, May 3, from 12-3:30 p.m. at the Riverbrook Regional/Wilton YMCA. Residents are invited to take part and learn about some of the many cultures represented within the Wilton community. The event will feature performances showcasing traditional music, dance and art; cuisines from around the world; and interactive exhibits for participants to enjoy cultural experiences firsthand.

Local restaurants are also participating in the effort, continuing the celebration by offering cultural specials during Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4.

Riverbrook Regional YMCA Member Service Coordinator Suma Iyer is one of the organizers. After 20 years of 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.

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

“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 organization’s #WiltonIsWhereYouBelong campaign promoting inclusivity 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.

Wilton Coalition for Youth is collaborating with the Wilton Public Schools in conjunction with the Cultural Celebration.

“We’ve planned opportunities to connect what students are learning and doing in the classroom with this community-wide event.” Ring said.

The Cultural Celebration will feature a “Passport Program” for elementary students, with opportunities for them to learn and collect stickers from each nation represented, which connects well with the WPS Vision of a Learner, with opportunities for Wilton High School students to fulfill an aspect of their cumulative portfolio requirement for graduation.

To continue exploring the diverse cultures represented in Wilton, organizers have invited community members to visit participating restaurants and enjoy the cultural dishes they’ve added to the menu during the weekend of May 3-4, in partnership with the Cultural Celebration at the YMCA.

“Our town has a rich tapestry of cultures to celebrate, and food is always a beloved way to do so. Our local restaurants have contributed immensely to our community, and we believe it is important to give back and include them in this celebration,” event organizer Lara Paschalidis, said. “Working closely with the restaurants, they expressed great enthusiasm for being part of the celebration and showcasing various countries and cultures through their menus.”

Participating restaurants include Aranci 67, Athithi Indian Cuisine, Baldanza at the Schoolhouse, Bangkok Republic, Bianco Rosso, Cactus Rose, Connecticut Coffee & Grill, Craft 14, Letizia’s Pizza, Little Pub, Orem’s Diner, Parlor Pizza, Red Rooster, Reiki, Tusk & Cup, Toozy Patza Pizza, Village Luncheonette & Pizza and Wilton Pizza & Pasta; on May 4 only Sly Bandit Brewing Company will join in.

Organizers thanked groups involved in the planning, including Wilton Youth Council, YMCA, Wilton Library, Wilton PTAs and the Wilton Public Schools.

Parking will be available at Wilton High School. More information about the event can be found on the Wilton Youth Council webpage.

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, that are coordinating efforts aimed at preventing substance misuse and promoting mental health and the emotional well-being of Wilton’s youth and families.