The Wilton Rotary Club is hosting its annual family carnival this weekend, adjacent to the Wilton High School tennis courts on at the corner of Danbury Rd./Rte. 7 and School Rd.. The carnival offers games, rides and food. Hours are Friday, Sept. 15 from 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 16 from noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 17 from noon-5 p.m..
The carnival is the Wilton Rotary Club’s largest fundraising event every year, supporting the Club’s community improvement projects both locally and internationally.
“This is a wonderful family-friendly event that’s fun for all ages. The rides are great and the games test your skill at winning prizes. We’ll have a lot of good food to offer, plus it’s a terrific way to start off the school year,” says Rotary carnival chair Pat Russo, adding, “All proceeds go back into the community to support needed projects as well as global humanitarian programs led by Rotary International, so be sure to come out and join us over carnival weekend.”
This year, proceeds raised from the event will also support Hurricane Harvey and Irma relief efforts.
“The effects of this crisis have been felt across the country,” says Wilton Rotary Club president Christene Freedman. “In difficult times such as this, we stand with our Rotary friends in Texas, Florida and US Virgin Islands to bring support, attention, and funds to help relief efforts in the aftermath of these tragedies.”
Among the many local organizations the Club supports are Wilton Commons Senior Housing, WHS scholarships, International Youth Exchange program, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, 3rd Grade Student Dictionary Program, Wilton Social Services Food Pantry/Fund Assistance, Wilton Library Youth Book Program, Wilton Council, WHS Debate Club/Rotary Interact Club, Trackside Teen Center, Norwalk Shelter, Visiting Nurses & Hospice, Wilton Playshop, Wilton Police and Fire Departments’ Appreciation Awards, Wilton Senior Citizen Fire Protection Program (smoke detector installation), Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Wilton CERT, Chamber of Commerce 5K Run, Kick for Nick, Ambler Farm, and Woodcock Nature Center, among others. And that’s just local; there are several others outside of their local area that Wilton Rotary helps.
Staged by Tufano Amusements, the carnival will offer over 20 different rides for a variety of ages as well as several games of chance.
Wristbands will be sold for $25 each for unlimited rides for the following time slots: Friday 6-10 p.m.; Saturday afternoon from noon-5 p.m.; Saturday evening from 5-10 p.m.; and Sunday noon-5 p.m.. Individual tickets cost $1/ticket. Most rides are 3-4 tickets per ride. Members of the Rotary Club will be manning the ticket booth and assisting with wristbands.
Chef Jeff Esan from Famous Jeff’s BBQ and Catering is providing the food at the carnival, bringing his delicious BBQ (just voted #1 in CT) as well as carnival staples such as hamburgers, hot dogs and mac n’ cheese.
As part of the fundraising effort this weekend, there will also be a drawing for a new specialized bike, provided by Outdoor Sports Center, which will take place on Sunday, Sept. 17. Tickets for the drawing cost $10 each.
Chartered in 1982, the Wilton Rotary Club is an association of business professionals who live or work in Wilton, donating their time and resources to raise funds to contribute to well-deserving organizations both locally and internationally. Wilton Rotary is a service club with a goal of providing volunteers and funding for local community improvement projects, non-profit agencies, youth leadership initiatives, international humanitarian programs, polio eradication worldwide, and high ethical standards in business.
The club meets every Friday for a business lunch at Marly’s Restaurant in Wilton Center. For information on activities and membership, visit the Wilton Rotary Club website.