Funds are currently being raised to improve the holiday decorations and Town Green lighting in Wilton Center for the 2015 holiday season.
An “informal, ad hoc, holiday working group,” as First Selectman Bill Brennan called it, was formed to update the current decorative scheme, composed of Ann Nash from Signature Style, Nancy Saxe from Sweet Pierre’s, Peg Koellmer from Realty Seven, and Brennan.
“We are going to upgrade all the garlands in the center of town around the light poles,” said Koellmer, “and get new lights also that will be energy efficient and can last for a long time.”
In addition, new red bows would be bought and hung on the poles. Koellmer said there is a 10-year guarantee on both the garlands and the bows.
Koellmer also announced a big red chair will be placed in the Center around Thanksgiving, affording families a holiday photo-opportunity before the season starts.
Saxe, with the help of the Chamber of Commerce, is encouraging downtown business owners to decorate their doors for the season.
She is also reaching out to local businesses that are outside of Wilton Center and offering them the opportunity to dress the doors of vacancies there.
“They will be able to advertise their business while providing continuity for the town decoration efforts,” Saxe said.
All 6,000 lights on the Town Green holiday tree will be replaced with bright and efficient LED bulbs.
According to Nash, Wilton Hardware is selling the lights to the town at a discount.
“Any place where we could buy locally, we did,” said Brennan.
“If everybody gives a little, we can cover the expenses on this,” Brennan said. “This isn’t an enormous amount of money that we have to raise, but it will make such an important contribution to our town.”
At the Board of Selectmen meeting on Sept. 21, Brennan said the goal is $10,000.
Tax-deductible donations may be remitted to the Town of Wilton Holiday Fund, 238 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897, attn: Jackie Rochester.
For questions regarding the door decorations, call Nancy Saxe at 203-563-0000.