By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

WILTON – Wilton’s traditional Blueberry Festival will be more patriotic than usual this year.

The Vietnam Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the original black granite wall in Washington, D.C., will be presented tonight by Gov. John Baldacci and other dignitaries. And a rolling memorial – a semi truck painted with symbols in tribute to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks – will be on display on Main Street. The murals were designed by the truck owners from Minnesota. It will mark the first time they have ventured into New England. The murals feature the World Trade Center Towers and Pentagon as well as names of those killed in the attacks.

The Vietnam wall was erected in Kineowatha Park early Monday, according to Paul Gooch, selectman and volunteer for the event. This marks only the fifth time the memorial has been in Maine since it began its continental journey in 1984 and its only appearance here this year. It will be on display until Aug. 8.

An antique tractor pull is also added to the list of events. Between 40 to 60 participants will demonstrate the power of their vintage tractors starting at 1 p.m. Saturday in Kineowatha Park, according to festival organizer Shannon Smith.

The festival will take place Friday and Saturday and will include children’s events, crafts, food, boat tours on Wilson Lake, a firemen’s muster, music and a 10-kilometer race. The traditional parade will happen Saturday morning and the celebration of Maine’s bluest fruit will culminate with fireworks Saturday night.

Organizing the event has been a lot of work, Smith said Monday without a trace of fatigue in her voice.

“It was a lot more than I ever expected,” she said, “but worth every waking minute of it.”

Blueberry Festival Events

Tuesday, Aug. 2

7 p.m. – Vietnam Moving Wall opening ceremony, Kineowatha Park

Friday, Aug. 5

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Customer appreciation day – Western Maine Community Action, Route 2

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Sidewalk craft and food sale, downtown and Academy Hill School

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Blueberry Bazaar, First Congregational Church

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Craft fair and lobster rolls, Wilton Legion Hall

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Yard sale, SeniorsPlus Community Center, Routes 2 and 4

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Yard sale, coffee and blueberry muffins, Wilton Methodist Church

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Healthy Community Coalition Van, by Firehouse Video

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Wilton Free Public Library book sale, Reunion Building, Kineowatha Park

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Lobster roll bag lunch, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Fish chowder lunch with blueberry shortcake, SeniorsPlus, call 645-3315 for reservations

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – luncheon of wraps and hot dogs, Congregational Church

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Children’s games and face painting, Kineowatha Park

1 to 4 p.m. – Boat tours, boat launch

5 p.m. – Race registrations

5 to 6:30 p.m. – Chicken barbecue, First Congregational Church

5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday – Jennifer L. Smith Scholarship dive-a-thon, 41 High St.

6 p.m. – Children’s one-miler race, starts at Kineowatha Park

6:30 p.m. – 10K road race, starts at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

7 p.m. – Bingo, Wilton American Legion Post No. 117

Saturday, Aug. 6

6 a.m. – Blueberry pancake breakfast, next to Key Bank

8 a.m. – Doll carriage and bicycle parade line-up, Franklin Savings Bank

9 a.m. – Blueberry Festival parade

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Sidewalk craft and food sale, downtown and Academy Hill School

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Blueberry Bazaar, First Congregational Church

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Wilton Free Public Library book sale, Reunion Building, Kineowatha Park

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Quilt and rug show, Wilton Methodist Church

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Open forge day blacksmithing, Wilton Historical Society

11 a.m to 2 p.m. – Child ID program, Academy Hill School

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – luncheon of wraps and hot dogs, Congregational Church

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Nancy and Bing Crosby country singers, Academy Hill School gym

Noon – Pie sale, First Congregational Church lawn

1 p.m. – Firemen’s muster, Main Street

1 p.m. – Antique tractor pull, Kineowatha park

1 to 1:30 p.m. – Blueberry cook off, Academy Hill School gym

1 to 1:30 p.m. – Chili tasting, Academy Hill School gym

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Western Mountain Trash Can Band, Academy Hill School gym

2:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Sammie Angel and Jim Harris country music, at the monument

4 p.m. – Great Coke bottle race, Wilson Stream bridge

4:30 p.m. – Public pig roast supper, by Key Bank

5:30 to 6 p.m. – Raffle and parade winner announcements, by Key Bank

7 p.m. – Parade of boats, Wilson Lake

Dusk – Fireworks

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