Our Story - How the Wilton Go Green Festival was Born
Last summer, the Wilton Energy Commission began to consider the benefits of a town-wide energy fair. The original concept was to expand the Earth Day observance initiated several years ago by the Wilton Library into an event that reflected the Commission’s mission: to advise the town and its residents on ways to reduce energy usage while promoting the use of alternative -- and sustainable -- forms of energy.
Commission members researched energy fairs, expos, and summits held by other New England towns. They seriously considered the summit format -- a day of informative speakers and panel discussions. They also considered a trade show model -- like an Energy Home Show.
But there was a green elephant in the room, and that elephant reminded everyone that an energy fair -- especially one in the Spring -- should be both an outdoor and indoor event. It should be right in Wilton Center, the heart of our community, and would welcome visitors from surrounding communities. It should be a
Festival
for families and businesses celebrating the growing number of sustainability initiatives, ideas, and incentives focused on conserving our planet's resources.
Our Festival should ideally include serious conversations, practical suggestions, education, demonstration and entertainment, all of it focused on simple changes to make better use of energy, money and other scarce and valuable resources.
The vision was that it would have both a trade component and an educational component. It might become an annual or biannual event. It would contribute in practical ways to the town's already significant "green" profile and to its quality of life.
In the early stages of planning the event, other organizations within Wilton enhanced the original concept by bringing forward additional perspectives on sustainability.
It was clear that although these groups had different passions regarding land use ... food production ... recycling ... building ... transportation ... water ... waste ... in addition to energy -- in fact, they were all connected.
So a team comprising the Wilton Library Association, Ambler Farm, Cannon Grange, Wilton Conservation Commission, Wilton Clergy Association, Wilton Family Y, Wilton Garden Club, Wilton Public Schools, Woodcock Nature Center and Wilton Rotary Club joined the Wilton Energy Commission to create a Wilton-wide community event, one that would appeal to all ages.
And, with a Community Innovations grant from the
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, generous sponsors including
Alteris Renewables, Deloitte and
Outdoor Sports, and endorsements from the Wilton Chamber of Commerce and Wilton Center businesses, the Wilton Go Green Festival was born!
