GMW’s Guide to Wilton’s Memorial Day Weekend 2026

Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor the dedicated members of the U.S. military who gave their lives in service of protecting American freedom and defending democracy, 

There will be various activities and events around Wilton for residents to partake in to honor these heroes throughout the long weekend.

GOOD Morning Wilton is your definitive guide to everything that’s happening over Memorial Day Weekend in Wilton. Below, first you’ll find details on the Memorial Day Parade as well as background on the Wilton residents being honored. That’s followed by a schedule of the events for the whole weekend.

Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony: Everything You Need to Know

As they do each year, the Wilton Memorial Day Parade Committee invites all Wilton families and guests to the Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, May 25.

Marching in this year’s parade will be veterans, bagpipers, military vehicles, antique cars, emergency vehicles, dignitaries, Scout troops, the Wilton High School band, and local organizations and sports teams. This year’s parade will also feature a flyover by a C-130 aircraft, which will travel the length of the parade route.

Police will begin to close several roads to all traffic in preparation for the parade on Monday morning, at 9:30 a.m.:

• Ridgefield Rd. between Danbury Rd. and Drum Hill Rd.
• Horseshoe Rd. from Wolfpit Rd. to Town Center
• Belden Hill Rd. between Drum Hill Rd. and Ridgefield Rd.

The parade starts at 21 River Rd. at 10 a.m. and proceeds through Wilton Center. Marchers will slow to salute the flags at the American Legion Post and the Veterans Memorial Green, and then make their way up Ridgefield Rd. to Hillside Cemetery (165 Ridgefield Rd.) for a Memorial Service that is expected to start around 11 a.m.

Once the tail of the Parade passes Center St., a limited opening will occur. Horseshoe Rd. will be reopened to allow vehicles into the Town Center. Ridgefield Rd. will also be reopened between Danbury Rd. and Center St.

Streets in Wilton Center (Old Ridgefield Rd., Hubbard Rd., and Ridgefield Rd. between Center St. and Drum Hill Rd.) will remain closed until the conclusion of the event at Hillside Cemetery. It is expected that all roads will be reopened by approximately 12:30 p.m. 

This year’s Parade Chair is Jim Newton; he is joined by Coleen Amero, Pam Brown, Jeff Turner, Paul Niche and Bing Ventres on the Parade Committee. The Grand Marshals for this year’s parade are Doug Jones (posthumously) and Don Shanahan.

This year’s keynote speaker at the memorial ceremony is former First Selectman Bill Brennan who was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force in 1957. He served overseas in England at various operational air bases. After his return to the United States, he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1967 at the rank of captain.

This year the chaplain will be Wilton Congregational Church’s Rev. Dave Stuart. Gopika Kaimal will be the tribute singer and James Ryan will play Taps. The Wilton High School band, directed by Troy Williams, will play the National Anthem.

If inclement weather forces cancellation of the parade, the remembrance ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Wilton Congregational Church (70 Ridgefield Rd.). An announcement will be made on the Town of Wilton’s website and through the town’s emergency email alert system. GOOD Morning Wilton will also post any notice.

The all-volunteer parade committee receives no municipal funds and instead rely on private donations to pay for parade expenses like banners, bagpipers, portable toilets, wreaths and flags. Each year, the committee places flags on over 500 military graves in Wilton. Anyone who would like to donate can mail checks, made out to the “Memorial Day Parade Fund,” to Memorial Day 2026 Parade Fund, P.O. Box 75, Wilton CT 06897.

Weekend Schedule

Saturday, May 23

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Village Market will hold its Annual Boar’s Head Hotdog Cookout. Stop by the tent in the Village Market parking lot (108 Old Ridgefield Rd.), for hotdogs and drinks for only $0.50 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans eat for free.

Sunday, May 24

• 8:30 a.m.: The Wilton Education Foundation (WEF) will once again hold its annual Get Smart for Wilton 5K on Sunday, May 24. The chip-timed race will start at the Wilton High School track, continue on a flat, USATF-certified course through the roads and trails of Wilton High School and adjacent Allen’s Meadow, and finish back at the WHS track. Runners or walkers of all levels and ages are invited to participate. All proceeds benefit the Wilton Public Schools. There is also a virtual run option for participants who want to run on their own.
  • Registration: Register for the 5K on the race website
    • Pre-registered participants receive a free t-shirt.  
  • Fees: Adults $44.30; 13 and under $28.29
  • Race-Day Registration: May 22-25 Adults $49.64; 13 and under $28.29
  • Virtual Run Option (no t-shirt): $28.29
  • Cash prizes for top finishers!
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Village Market will hold its Annual Boar’s Head Hotdog Cookout. Stop by the tent in the Village Market parking lot (108 Old Ridgefield Rd.), for hotdogs and drinks for only $0.50 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans eat for free.

Monday, May 25

• 8-10:30 a.m.: Everyone is welcome to begin the day at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, at the Wilton Congregational Church (70 Ridgefield Rd.) from 8-10:30 a.m, rain or shine. The cost is $15 for adults, $8 for kids, and children under age 5 eat for free; a family maximum is set at $50.
• 9:30 a.m.: Wilton Police and CERT will close the following roads to all traffic:
  • Ridgefield Rd. between Danbury Rd./Rte. 7 and Drum Hill Rd. 
  • Horseshoe Rd. from Wolfpit Rd. to the Town Center
  • Belden Hill Rd. between Drum Hill Rd. and Ridgefield Rd.
• 9:30 a.m.: River Rd. and Old Ridgefield Rd. in Wilton Center will be closed to traffic. People planning on marching should gather at the back of the Kimco shopping center parking lot (21 River Rd.). Everyone needs to register and sign in.
• 10 a.m.: The Memorial Day Parade begins from 21 River Rd. and then proceeds through Wilton Center. There will be veterans, bagpipers, military vehicles, antique cars, emergency vehicles, dignitaries, Scout troops, the Wilton High School band, and local organizations and sports teams marching. This year’s parade will also feature a flyover by a C-130 aircraft, which will travel the length of the parade route. Parade participants will slow march and salute the flags at the American Legion Post and the Veterans Memorial Green, and then make their way up Ridgefield Rd. to Hillside Cemetery (165 Ridgefield Rd.) for a Memorial Service that is expected to start around 11 a.m.
• 11 a.m.: As the parade ends, Dial-A-Ride vans will be stationed at the Wilton Congregational Church to take seniors and those with disabilities to the Hillside ceremony. There also will be a pickup area at the Wilton Congregational Church for parents picking up their children and for those not continuing to Hillside. The church will be giving out water.
• 11 a.m.: The Memorial Service Program will begin at Hillside Cemetery (165 Ridgefield Rd.)
• 11 a.m.: Once the tail of the Parade passes Center St., Wilton Police and CERT will begin a limited street opening. Horseshoe Rd. will be reopened to allow vehicles into the Town center. Ridgefield Rd. will also be reopened between Danbury Rd./Rte. 7 and Center St. 
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Village Market will hold its Annual Boar’s Head Hotdog Cookout. Stop by the tent in the Village Market parking lot (108 Old Ridgefield Rd.), for hotdogs and drinks for only $0.50 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans eat for free. The store is open on Monday, May 25 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 12:30 p.m.: Old Ridgefield Rd., Hubbard Rd., and Ridgefield Rd. between Center St. and Drum Hill Rd. will remain closed until the conclusion of the event at Hillside Cemetery. It is expected that all roads will be reopened by approximately 12:30 p.m.