39th Annual Wilton Founders Day Celebration August 16th and 17th in Downtown Wilton
by Wilton Chamber of Commerce
August 09, 2019

A tradition thirty-nine years in the making, Wilton Founders Day celebrates the creation of one of Muscatine County’s most unique towns. Featuring classic events and some new twists, Wilton Founders Day has activities for Wilton natives and visitors from around the county of all ages to enjoy. 


 On Friday, August 16th starting at 4:30 pm vendors, food vendors, and the beverage area will open up for the day. The Wilton Chamber of Commerce will host a business after hours with wine and beer tasting from 5:00-7:00 pm for chamber members. Children can enjoy inflatables at Cedar and 4th Street, from 4:00-8:00 pm. New this year, kids seventeen and under can compete in the junior cornhole tournament. Registration begins at 4:00 pm in Elder Park. A competitive tournament, the first-place winner will get to compete in the adult competition on Saturday! Attendees may also play bingo in the White Pigeon parking lot starting at 4:30 pm, enter the kid’s tractor pull at 5:00 pm, or compete in the slow pitch softball tournament at 6:00 pm in the City Park.


  From 7:00-8:00 pm, WHS alumni will put on their annual play. Finally, music lovers can enjoy Rock Academy at 5:00 pm and the Lynn Allen Band at 8:00 pm on the Toyota of Muscatine Stage. 


 Saturday, August 17th, events begin at 8:00 am with the Eager Beaver 5K Walk/Run. Open to all ages, top finishers will receive awards. The one-mile race for kids begins at 9:00 am. All participants will receive ribbons and t-shirts. The Slow Pitch softball tournament will continue in the City Park at 8:00 am. Kids can enjoy inflatables all day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Sports fans can also get in on the first round of the volleyball tournament at 9:30 am. Duck races in the Candy Kitchen greenspace will begin at 10:00 am. Grace United Church of Christ will host a luncheon beginning at 11:00 am. Anyone looking for more bingo can play again in the White Pidgeon parking lot at 11:00 am. The 18th Annual Car Show will take place on Railroad Street beginning at 11:00 am as well. 


 At 2:00 pm, the Wilton Founders Day Summer Fun themed parade will step off. Everyone may participate, especially youth, but no one under eighteen may operate a motorized vehicle. The Chamber will post parade winners in their window once judges make their decisions. The Grand Marshal will hold an open house in the Depot following the parade. Don’t forget to stop by the Wilton Historic Depot, which will be open from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm to see the display “Featuring Past Donations.”

The Samantha’s Dance Academy Float in the 2018 Wilton Founders Day parade.


 The two person cornhole tournament will kick off at 4:30 pm in Elder Park, and the WHS Alumni will perform their play again at 7:00 pm. 


 The Toyota of Muscatine Stage will feature many exciting acts throughout the day including River City  6 Music at 10:00 am, Wilton’s Got Talent at 5:00 pm, and Rosey Hips at 8:00 pm. Those looking for more performances can also check out the Wilton Stepperettes at 3:30 pm and Samantha’s Dance Academy at 3:40 pm, both performing on Maurer Street. 


 On Sunday morning at 10:30 am, a community church service will take place at the Wilton City Park.  Once again, starting at 11:00 am, the Wahkonsa Memorial Golf Tournament will tee off at Wahkonsa Country Club. 

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