WILTON – Gigantic, inflatable medical exhibits will headline the Blueberry Festival this year, as organizers put the finishing touches on Wilton’s iconic summer event.
The 32nd annual Wilton Blueberry Festival will feature live music, races, activities, as well as the usual food and craft vendors. (See the full schedule below.) On Saturday morning, the parade, billed as the longest in Maine, will pass through downtown Wilton, kicking off another day of events capped off by the signature fireworks show.
This year’s theme is “health education,” providing a connection with Medical Inflatables Exhibits, Inc., which will bring four of its walk-through displays to Kineowatha Park in time for Friday and Saturday’s festivities. The displays, which include a heart, a brain, a set of lungs and a 50-foot-long MEGA Body, illustrate the inner working of each organ, as well as symptoms and causes of various diseases.
The logistics of getting all four displays to Wilton has required significant coordination, according to Wilton Blueberry Festival Chair Shannon Smith, as the pieces are arriving from events scattered across the country. They will be landing in Logan International Airport in Boston today, Smith said, with a 90-foot by 90-foot tent going up in Kineowatha Park Wednesday, the day before the displays are inflated.
Each person going through the MEGA Body, Smith said, would receive a free toothbrush. Other health-related events include CPR classes being taught by NorthStar EMS and Healthy Community Coalition will be providing information, free blood pressure checks and healthy recipes at Kineowatha Park.
Friday evening brings the annual free concert at Academy Hill School at 7:15 p.m. This year’s band will be Re-Creation, a non-profit organization whose main service is to America’s Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and State Veterans Homes. The group has performed 10,000 shows in all 50 states in the past 40 years.
Also Friday is the annual Bill Yates Memorial Race, which includes a 10k and 5K Road Race as well as a 1-Mile Family Fun Run. Participants are encouraged to pre-register to ensure they get a number, using: http://runinarace.com/BlueberryFestival/index.html. More information is available through the Wilton Blueberry Festival’s flyer, located here in a .pdf format.
The Wilton Blueberry Juried Art Show returns, opening on Friday, with work on exhibit from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the main floor of the Bass-Wilson Building in downtown. Artists need to attend the show to see if their work was selected. Work can be for sale, but it’s up to the artist to manage the sale and work can’t be removed until between 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Schedule of Events
Friday, Aug. 1
8:30 am – 6 pm – Book Sale – Wilton Free Public Library held at Western Maine Expo.
9 am – 2 pm – Blueberry Bazaar First Congregational Church – baked foods, crafts, coffee, blueberry cake and hot dogs all day long, White Elephant table.
9 am – 3 pm – Yard Sale Wilton Methodist Church – cold drinks, coffee and blueberry muffins served. Sassy Scizzors Piercing Specials.
9 am – 5 pm – Crafters and Vendors – Downtown, Main Street Garage, and Academy Hill parking lot.
9 am – 7 pm – Healthy Community Coalition open for information, Free Blood Pressure checks, health recipes located at Kineowatha Park.
9 am – 7 pm – Medical Inflatable Exhibit at Kineowatha Park.
10 am – Friends & Family CPR Class, presented by NorthStar EMS. Cost is $15.
10 am – 12 pm – Sammie Angel – Under the Lions Tent, Downtown supported by Sykes.
10 am – 3 pm – Free Horse-drawn wagon rides @ beginning of RT 156 Weld Rd. in Wilton by Hutchinson Farm.
10 am – 4 pm – Open Forge Day – Wilton Historical Society by Western Maine Blacksmith Assoc.
10 am – 4 pm – Wilton Historical Society open for tours.
10 am – 5 pm – Visit the Wilton Free Public Library.
11 am – Lobster Roll Bag Lunch – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church until gone. 645-2639 for deliveries.
11 am – 1 pm – WKTJ LIVE at Kineowatha Park, FREE giveaways!
11 am – 3 pm – Wilton Rec. Dept. dunk tank at Kineowatha Park.
11 am – 4 pm – Free Games and Face Painting – Kineowatha Park: puppet play, snacks and prizes by Calvary Hill Baptist Church 645-2343.
Noon – First Congregational Church Blueberry Pie A-LA Mode until gone.
Noon – 4 pm – Thomaston Place Auction Galleries near Key Bank. Appraise one item for $10 or three for $25.
Noon – 4 pm – Children’s Museum (beside Firehouse Video). 50/50 raffle, face painting, and mobile kid exhibit.
1 pm – 4 pm – Boat Tours – sponsored by Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL) -held by the boat launch. Donations accepted. Weather permitting.
1 pm – 4 pm – Loon Awareness Booth – near the boat launch, partnered by FOWL (Celebrating 25 years) & Biodiversity Research Institute.
1 pm – 4 pm – FREE Fire truck Rides! Near Key Bank, courtesy of the Wilton Fire Dept. Children 10 & under accompanied by an adult.
2 pm – 4 pm – Nancy & Bing Crosby @ Under the Lions Tent, downtown.
3 pm – 7 pm – Juried Art Show @ Bass-Wilson Building. All ages, and prizes for Best in Show. Works must be framed and ready to hang with a hanging wire. Email BBFArtShow@gmail.com for an entry form.
4 pm – Friends & Family CPR Class, presented by NorthStar EMS. Cost is $15. Register by calling Shannon Smith
4:30 pm – 6 pm – Tux Burke @ Wilton Congregational Church.
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm – Registration for races at Cushing School.
5 pm – 6:30 pm – Chicken BBQ – First Congregational Church. Eat in or take-out. Call 645-2535 for orders.
6 pm – Kids One Miler starts at Cushing School. 10K / Walk races start at town garage (see application for more info).
7 pm – Flag Folding by Farmington Emblem Club #460 at Academy Hill School.
7:15 pm – Re-Creation at Academy Hill School (Free Concert)
7 pm – 9 pm – Bingo at the American Legion Post #117 – Cash Prizes!
Saturday, Aug. 2
6 am – 10 am – Blueberry Pancake Breakfast – by the Wilton Lion’s Club. Held next to Key Bank.
7 am – 8:30 am – Parade Lineup – Western Maine Expo on Weld Road (finish at Wilson Lake). No personal cars in line-up area, Please drop off outside and walk in.
8 am – Doll Carriage and Bicycle Lineup – supported by Farmington Emblem Club #460. Line up at Franklin Savings Bank and end at Bradley’s Pizza. FMI call Shannon 778-4726.
8 am – 4 pm – Children’s Museum (beside Firehouse Video). 50/50 raffle, face painting, and mobile kid exhibit.
9 am – Parade begins – supported by Wilton Lions. FMI call Shannon at 778-4726. $$$ CASH PRIZES $$$ for Business, Americanism, Prettiest, Most Original, Antique Cars, Tractors, Blueberry and Commercial. Theme: Health Education (Special plaques for all fire trucks participating, donated by the Franklin County Fire Museum.)
9 am – until gone – Pies on Sale! Tyngtown Club on the First Congregational Church Lawn. Craft and Food Sale – downtown, Main Street Garage, and Academy Hill.
9 am – 5 pm – Juried Art Show at Bass-Wilson Building. All ages, and prizes for Best in Show. Works must be framed and ready to hang with a hanging wire. Email BBFArtShow@gmail.com for an entry form.
9 am – 3 pm – Blueberry Bazaar – First Congregational Church, hot dogs all day, baked goods, White Elephant.
9 am – 4 pm – Open Forge Day – Wilton Historical Society by Western ME Blacksmith Association Rock Wall and Hummer at Franklin Savings Bank. Crafters & vendors downtown Main Street Garage, and Academy Hill.
9 am – 4 pm – Wilton Fish & Game Assoc. will hold an Open House on Rt. 2 with several events: Safety and technique will be offered in Archery by a Bryant Pond 4-H Camp shooting instructor. FREE event !! Ages 6 & up. (Hours 9 AM – 1 PM ). Trap shooting with Charlie. (1 PM – 4 PM). Gatling Gun and Shooting Gallery will be offered in the Conex box (9 AM-4 PM ). Lunch provided for minimal fee by Youth League. FMI Call Phil at 897-4305.
9 am – 5 pm – Medical Inflatable Exhibit at Kineowatha Park.
10 am – 1 pm – Children’s activities on the Wilton Free Public Library lawn.
10 am – 3 pm – Quilt and Rug Show – Wilton Methodist Church. FMI call Lisa at 645-2753.
10 am – 4 pm – Wilton Historical Society open for tours.
11 am – 3 pm – Luncheon – Wilton Methodist Church. Variety of rolls, subs, assorted blueberry desserts, coffee and cold drinks.
11 am – 3 pm – Free Hot air balloon walk thru for children
11 am – 3 pm – Wilton Rec Dept. Dunk Tank at Kineowatha Park.
11 am – 4:30 pm – Book Sale – Western Maine Expo. Noon First Congregational Church Blueberry Pie A-LA mode until gone.
Noon – First Congregational Church Blueberry Pie A-LA mode until gone.
12:30 pm – Register for Baby and Toddler Derby Race, Kineowatha Park. For more information, 778-4726.
12:30 pm – 3 pm – Blueberry Cook-Off – at Academy Hill School Cafeteria. Entries taken until 12:30 p.m. Judging begins at 1 p.m. Winners announced at 2 p.m. Dishes must be picked up by 3 p.m. FMI call Katie at 778-4720. Youth division up to age 15.
12:30 pm – 3 pm – Chili Tasting Contest – at Academy Hill School Cafeteria. Entries taken until12:30 p.m. Judging begins at 1 p.m. Winners announced at 2 p.m. Public tasting 2-3 p.m., $1 donation. Youth division up to age 15. FMI call Katie at 778-4720.
1 pm – Baby and Toddler Derby Race, Kineowatha Park. Kendal Burdin Fireman’s Muster – Main Street. Antique Tractor Pull – Kineowatha.
3 pm – 7 pm – Sammie Angel & Jim Harris singing by town square.
4:30 – 6:30 pm Pig Roast Supper under tent by Key Bank. FMI, 491-4667.
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Pig Roast Supper under tent by Key Bank.
5 – 5:30 pm – First Congregational Church Raffle – to be held by Key Bank. Parade winners will be announced.
5 – 6 pm – Artist’s Reception Meet/Greet at Bass-Wilson Building light desert served by Ray Ray’s Café.
8:45 – 9 pm – Fireworks display from the boat launch at dusk. (Rain date is Aug. 3)
FYI: Western Maine Play Museum will only have face painting available on Saturday from 8a-12p (but she’s THE BEST face painter East of the Mississippi). No pressure, Jenny Baker! We’ll be excavating in front of our barn on Thursday, so we’re not exactly sure where we’ll be set up yet–somewhere around the building! And last, Barclay’s will be matching what we raise during the festival so come, have fun, and consider donating to the museum!
Will it cost money to go in the medical inflatables?
No, there is no charge to go in the medical inflatables displays.