WILTON — The Wilton Blueberry Festival, which began as a fundraiser for the First Congregational Church UCC, will be held for the 33rd time this year. Scheduled for Aug. 8 and 9 with a closing event on Aug. 10, organizer Shannon Smith said,”There’s bound to be something for everybody to do.”

Smith says planning for the festival occurs throughout the year. She has already chosen the theme for next year’s event, Sports, and is thinking of doing something with artists for the following year.

Smith said she has to book at least a year in advance for many events. Next year, an Elvis Presley impersonator and Debbie Meyers will perform Friday night.

Smith will be in Rockland for the Lobster Festival on Aug. 1. She will have her vehicle decorated with a blueberry theme to promote the Wilton Blueberry Festival.

The Wilton Blueberry Festival is packed with activities and sales. Downtown, local churches will have food and other items to buy. A variety of crafters and vendors will also be offering a smorgasbord of jewelry, toys, clothing items, artwork, photography, beauty aids and foods. Several entertainers will also perform at various times.

Smith said there will also be lots of products that will be raffled off. Steve Jones has donated a large bubble gum machine that one lucky person will win. Tickets may be purchased at Steve’s Market in Dryden until Friday night. On Saturday, the machine will be on display outside Key Bank. Tickets will be for sale there. The winning ticket will be drawn after 5 p.m. Saturday.

Friday night, the gym at Academy Hill School will feature a flag folding ceremony by Farmington Emblem Club #460 followed by a free concert by Mama’s Wranglers. Smith said, “State Emblem president Quinnale Kinsey and past supreme president Charlotte Mills will be in Wilton.” Emblem members are coming from all over the state this year.

Mama’s Wranglers is a family troupe that performed at the blueberry festival a few years ago. Smith booked their return appearance because of the many requests she received. Fiddling, three part harmonies, yodeling and their Western sound are just some of the reasons for the group’s popularity.

Mama’s Wranglers recently opened Firelight Barn Dinner Theater in Las Vegas. According to the website, http://www.firelightbarn.com/, visitors can enjoy great music, delicious grub, and down home country charm. Gary Bickford attended the venue’s opening night.

Saturday morning, line up for the parade will begin at 7 a.m. in the Nichols parking lot on Route 156. Smith said, “I already have 70 units pre-registered for the parade not including fire trucks.” The parade kicks off at 9 a.m.

Also on Saturday, there will be a quilt show at the Methodist Church. Wendy Rollins Mansir has made a quilt using Wilton Blueberry Festival T-shirts from the last 25 years that will be on display.

Weather permitting, Saturday afternoon there will be a hot air balloon walk through available for children. This free activity will be held at Kineowatha Park.

Local girl Kathie Smith will have her art show, “Home Sweet Home”, on display at the library. Shannon Smith said, “She’s excited about it.” Kathie’s work includes oil paintings, drawings, Conte drawings, and watermedia.

Shannon Smith says planning for the festival occurs throughout the year. She has already chosen the theme for next year’s event, Sports, and is thinking of doing something with artists for the following year.

Smith said she has to book at least a year in advance for many events. Next year, an Elvis Presley impersonator and Debbie Meyers will perform Friday night.

Smith will be in Rockland for the Lobster Festival on Aug. 1. She will have her vehicle decorated with a blueberry theme to promote the Wilton Blueberry Festival.

For a complete listing of events, see the schedule printed elsewhere in this supplement; check out the festival website, www.wiltonbbf.com; or refer to the festival brochure which is available at many Wilton businesses and the town office.

[email protected]