In 1992, Wilton didn't have a fireworks show for the Fourth of July. The funding had been cut for a program that had been going on for what felt like forever.
So the next year, a member of the Parks and Recreation Department decided to start fundraising to be able to have a display again. Since then, 1993, the community has funded its own fireworks display by simply paying for parking.
The parking passes for the day's events at Wilton High School vary in price depending where you want to park. The cheapest pass is $20 per car and you may end up parking about a five to 10 minute walk away, Parks and Recreation director Steve Pierce said, whereas a $35 pass guarantees a spot in a lot adjacent to the site.
Fourth of July events at the high school include an 8:30 a.m. 5k Freedom Run Road Race, a 2:30 p.m. Republicans versus Democrats softball game, three bands playing at various times from 5 p.m. till after 10 p.m. and the fireworks display itself, which starts at roughly 9:30 p.m. and lasts about a half hour.
The price tag on the entire day is $30,000, not including the 5k and the softball game, and it all comes from the parking passes.
"Every dime we collect goes toward that event, July 4," Pierce said.
A company called Atlas PyroVision Productions is hired to put on the fireworks. The company designs and handles the display electronically, Pierce said.
"They do all the set up, the technical work," Pierce said.
Planning for the Fourth of July starts in January, and when the day finally comes, several thousand people show up for the display, Pierce said.
The rain date for the display is July 5. For more information, visit the Wilton Parks and Recreation website or call (203) 454-5188.
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