WILTON – The Town of Wilton is celebrating its bicentennial in 2018 with a variety of signature events scheduled throughout the year. The weekend of April 20-22 promises to bring history to life with an opportunity to look back and remember what took place over the past 200 years in Wilton.
Town Supervisor Art Johnson commented, “We invite our community of Wilton residents and friends to join us in review of 200 years in the making. As a community, we’ve witnessed tremendous growth, which has created the quality of life we enjoy today. A bright future lies ahead for our children and grandchildren because of the forethought and hard work of many. We are very grateful to all of our sponsors of the bicentennial for their support of our 200th birthday year of festivities.”
At 6 p.m. on Friday, April 20 the town will kick-off its Historic Weekend Celebration with a showcase of Wilton civic groups and organizations at the fountain area of the Wilton Mall. Groups in attendance will include Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge # 161, Wilton Rotary Club, Grant Cottage, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Wilton Historical Society, Wilton Food Pantry, Wilton Senior Center, Friends of Wilton Recreation, Town of Wilton Recreation at Gavin Park, AIM Services Inc., Dorothy Nolan School, Maple Avenue Fire Company, Wilton Fire Department, Wilton EMS, Children’s Museum at Saratoga, Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park and the Bicentennial Commemorative Merchandise Booth.
At 7 p.m., the Wilton Mall will host the “First Town Meeting” reenactment written by Karen Strack James and reenacted by the Captain Giles Kellogg’s Company of Artillery. Refreshments donated by Fresh Market, McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts and Saratoga Spring Water Company will be served around the fountain area.
Following the reenactment, attendees are invited to enjoy the premier of the Wilton 200-year documentary film produced by Tim Welch and Roy McDonald at the Bow Tie Cinema. It starts at 7:45 p.m. and seating at the cinema is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
On both Saturday and Sunday this weekend a slew of additional events are scheduled in the town, including self-guided Historic Site Tours and family activities at both Camp Saratoga on Scout Road and the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park.
Major sponsors of the Wilton Bicentennial include Adirondack Trust Company, Scotty’s Exit 16/The Parillo and Nigro Family, D.A. Collins Construction Co. Inc., Richbell Capital, Saratoga National Bank, MJ Engineering, Kodiak Construction, Bonded Concrete, Inc., and Stone Bridge Iron and Steel Inc.
Wilton nonprofits, organizations and businesses are invited to participate in the bicentennial celebration by creating an event that ties in with the year and emailing that event to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The event will be posted on the town’s Bicentennial Calendar at www.wiltonbicentennial.com.
The community is asked to share historic photos and bicentennial stories by emailing them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Residents are invited to join in the activities by volunteering for any of the Signature Events.
Commemorative merchandise including bicentennial pins, mugs, hats, Frisbees and patches will be available for purchase at Wilton Town Hall throughout 2018.
For more information on the Town of Wilton’s Bicentennial Celebration call 518-587-1939 ext. 239 or visit www.wiltonbicentennial.com.