WILTON – Gently pushing small marigold seedlings into containers of soil, students at Academy Hill School on Tuesday began their part in the town’s Miracle of the Marigolds program.

The community service project will include K-12 students, parents and others.

Two hundred Academy Hill students each planted two seedlings. For the next few weeks they will tend them before putting them into flower beds at Bass Park on May 21.

On Wednesday, 143 students at Cushing School will also plant marigolds to raise in their classrooms. Students at Mt. Blue Middle School will also participate, said Betty Shibles, who along with John and Corey Black organized the event. A total of 2,000 seedlings will be planted.

The Blacks, owners of Rocky Hill Landscaping, provided the seedlings and growing materials and then showed the class what they needed to do.

The plants were labeled so each student can tend and plant their own marigolds so they’ll know where they are in park flower beds and around town this summer, John Black said.

Starting with young students to create an annual tradition, organizers hope students will remember the fun they had planting them and respect the town’s flowers, Black said. The plants will benefit the town, and participation may help curtail vandalism at the gardens, he added.

In early May, Mt. Blue High School students will help prepare the beds at Bass Park.

Mt. Blue student Lynette Bragg helped the youngsters plant the marigolds Tuesday as part of her school community service project.

The day of planting is also the first celebration of what is being called a Third Thursday Event in downtown Wilton. Held from 5:30 to 8 p.m., four events over the summer are planned.

The May event features a farmers market, a showing of antique and special interest cars, street entertainers, high school art work in downtown windows, a Hula-Hoop jamboree, square dancing by the monument, the Academy Hill Chorus singing at the Congregational Church and food vendors, Shibles said.

Other events are planned for June 18, July 16 and Aug. 20.

An Earth Day event is scheduled for April 22 when people are invited to participate along with high school students in a clean and green activity from 9 a.m. to noon.

Window boxes and gardens downtown will be prepared and some raking and window washing done. A lunch of hot dogs will be provided by the Boy Scouts. Anyone who would like to help may contact Shibles at 860-608-1701.