Attendees at the inaugural Wilton Winter Carnival didn’t care about the weather, turning out for a great idea that will be sure to snowball into an annual event. The Wilton Chamber of Commerce put together a fun day with something for everyone, young and old.
The chili cook-off pitted six Wilton restaurateurs and chefs against one another–Craft 14, Jeff’s BBQ, Little Pub, Wilton Pizza and Pasta, Marly’s Bar & Bistro, and Portofino. Children lined up in a non-stop crowd around Wilton’s own first selectwoman, Lynne Vanderslice, who said that she painted faces of kids not just from Wilton, but also New Canaan, Ridgefield, Greenwich, Easton, Newtown and Stamford. Her office also sponsored a fun scavenger hunt, created by Middlebrook student Sam Gioffre and friends, which sent families on a visit all around Wilton Center.
They would have passed by the horse-drawn carriage, which gave a glimpse at what Wilton 100 years ago might have looked like. Other highlights included ice sculptor Bill Covitz, who showed off his winning ice sculpting talents on the Town Green as other sculptures were featured at spots around the Center.
Visitors were also able to warm up by the campfire, enjoying s’mores and hot chocolate courtesy of the Wilton Economic Development Commission.