Wilton Receives Historic Preservation Grant
Wilton received a $17,500 grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa. The funding will be used to hire a historian to conduct an intensive survey of two potential historic districts in Wilton, Iowa, around Sixth Street and around Maurer from East Wate to Prairie Street. The historian and volunteers will research properties and educate the community about the benefits of districts being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
New Restaurants in Town
Even more great places to eat! We already love eating at Arty’s and Wilton Café, and now we also have The Mill Sports Lounge at 110 East Fourth Street, which will be open 11 am to 11 pm seven days a week, serving appetizers, handhelds, and plates (kitchen closes at 9 pm), and Axe and Oak Whiskey House at 117 West Fourth Street, which serves starters and sandwiches from 5 pm to 10 pm Tuesday through Thursday and 5 pm to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Tri-County Community Band Concert
On July 21, the Tri-County Community Band gave a concert at the Wilton Community Center. The Wilton Chamber & Development Alliance (WCDA) served 131 Candy Kitchen milkshakes during the intermission! The band sent a very nice thank you, which we pass on to you WCDA members, whose membership allowed us to supply the treats.
Founders Day 2023
We can’t wait for Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20! See you there! Please see detailed information below.
We still need volunteers to work the beer tent Friday night (Aug. 18), 9 pm to midnight, and Saturday (Aug. 19) afternoon, 1 pm to 3:30, and to sit by inflatables and monitor wristbands Saturday (Aug. 19). Please let us know (732-5002 or ballgood [at] wiltoniowa.org) if you can volunteer a couple of hours!
At left, Robert Arlen stands with one of the banners featuring the dancing beaver he created for all this year’s Founders Day graphics. We just love his design work!
Coming up this fall…
Teacher Welcome Luncheon 2023
Thursday, August 17, at 11:30 am we will host the teacher welcome luncheon in the cafeteria at Wilton High School. There will be BBQ pork sandwiches, baked beans, and potato salad with a cookie and a drink. We will be sending an invitation to all WCDA members. The cost is $10 and we will request an RSVP by August 14 by calling the office at 732-5002 or emailing ballgood [at] wiltoniowa.org.
Muscatine County Freedom Rock Smorgasbord
Monday, September 4 (Labor Day) is slated for another 25-cent meal, Fire Fighters’ water fight and great prizes.
Fall City-Wide Garage Sale
Saturday, September 9, If you are interested in participating in this garage sale you can sign up and pay ($10) online so your garage sale location is included on the map and in the advertising.
Other News and Information
Trinity Muscatine, 1609 Cedar Street in Muscatine, will be holding their 2nd annual back to school health screening clinic for all Muscatine County residents, with children up to age 18, on August 8th from 12pm-7pm.
Founders Day Detailed Information
Shake it Up is this year’s theme for Founders Day (Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19), and we have a lot of great new additions along with our fun returning events.
FUN TIMES!!!
New this year is the “Wristband (Kids) Fun Zone” which has nine different inflatables from obstacle courses and BIG slides to games for all children. This Fun Zone opens on Friday from 5pm to 8pm, and Saturday from 10am – 8pm. A $20 wristband is good for both days!
“Wristband (Teens) Fun Zone” will have a 4 person Bungee Jump and a large video game bus and it is open from 1pm to 8pm on Saturday. That $20 wristband you bought for the inflatables is also good for these two attractions!!!
Friday starting at 4:30pm we have the Pedal Tractor Pull on 4th Street and at 5:30 pm the Big Wheel Races begin. You can sign up for both of these fun activities on site.
PARADE-at 11:30am!!!
The parade will start at 11:30 am on Saturday and Eddy Sawvell will be the Grand Marshall. This year we have the Quad Cities Black Hawk Pipes and Drums marching band joining us, as well as the Wilton High School marching band! Sign-up for the parade will be from 10am – 11:15am at the Wilton High School Parking lot. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be given for the following Categories: Floats, Horses, Novelty, Vehicle, Costumed Youth. We will have a reception at the Wilton City Hall for Grand Marshall Eddy Sawvell after the parade.
ENTERTAINMENT!!!
WILTON MASONIC TEMPLE - We will have a WHS Alumni Play at the Masonic Temple Stage from 7 – 8 pm on Friday and Saturday night entitled, “Unhand Her You Villian.” The cost is $5.00 and you will get free popcorn (which you could throw at the villain).
NextGen Freedom Rock Stage
On Friday night, the Wilton Stepperettes will take the stage at 6:45pm and then Nashville singer songwriter Alice Wallace & her Nashville Friends will be performing on the NextGen Freedom Rock Stage from 8pm to Midnight.
On Saturday from 1 – 4pm there will be music and Samantha’s Dance Academy will follow at 4:45. Saturday night we have Diplomats of Solid Sound from 8 – 10 pm and The Uniphonics from 10pm to midnight.
BAGS – 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL – VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS!!!
Youth Bags Tournament is on Friday starting at 4:30pm at the City Garage Building. Entry Fee is $20 per team and Payouts are: 1st - $100, 2nd - $50 and 3rd - $20. The winning team will play against the adult teams on Saturday.
Adult Bags Tournament on Saturday starts at 1:30pm at the City Garage Building. Entry Fee is $40 per team and 1st place payout will be $1000, 2nd and 3rd place TBD.
Back by popular demand is the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament (for youth) that starts at 9am on 4th Street. This tournament will break for the parade at 11:30 and come back for the finals at 1pm.
The Sand Volleyball Tournament (for adults) starts at 10am behind City Hall. The final round will be at 3pm.
Eager Beaver Run
On Saturday, the Eager Beaver Run registration is from 6:45am – 8am at the White Pigeon Parking Lot. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 8am and the Kids 1-mile run starts at 9am.
Antique Tractor Show
New this year is an Antique Tractor Show which will be right across from the beverage area on Saturday from 1 to 4pm. And while you are there looking at the Antique Tractors you can visit the Historic Depot which will be open from 1 to 4pm.
Vendors, Beverages, and BINGO
This year we have many Food and Craft Vendors and they open at 4pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday. You can go to the Masonic Temple on Saturday morning from 7am – 11am to have a yummy pancake breakfast too!
Our Beverage Area is open 4pm to midnight on Friday and 1pm to midnight on Saturday.
BINGO in the Community Room starts at 4pm on Friday and 1pm on Saturday.
Sunday
On Sunday, the Wahkonsa Memorial Golf Tournament (4-person best shot) starts at 9am, and a Community Church Service at Wilton United Methodist Church begins at 10:30am.