Teacher Welcome Luncheon
Every year we welcome Wilton’s teachers back to school with a luncheon, which will be Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 11:30 in the school cafeteria. This year four of the teachers are new to Wilton. Please let us know if you plan to attend and help welcome our cherished educators! The luncheon cost for WCDA members is $10.
Founders Day 2026
It’s the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and what better way to celebrate than Wilton Founders Day 2026, Happy Birthday U.S.A.! We are bringing buttons back! Re-start your collection downtown August 21-22!
For the schedule of events, go to wiltonevents.org or visit our facebook page. On the website, participants can also register in advance for the Miss Founders Day Pageant, Eager Artist Challenge, or the Eager Beaver Run. Keep reading to see what is planned for Founders Day 2026:
Thursday, August 20
Come see who will be crowned Founders Day royalty at the Miss Wilton Founders Day Pageant at the Community Center at 6 pm.
Friday, August 21
- The food trucks and Party Patio & Beverage Depot near Elder Park open at 4 pm.
- Get your face painted for FREE 4-6 pm on Fourth Street.
- The Youth Cornhole Tournament is at 4:30 in Elder Park. Show up a little early in order to register.
- The Food & Vendor Market, sponsored by A.R.B. Roofing, will be open 5-8 pm.
- FREE Kids’ Games and Big Wheel Races will be at 5:30 on Fourth Street. Three lucky kids will win their own Big Wheel to take home!
- This year the Fun Zone ($20 Wristband, good for both Friday & Saturday) will be on Cedar and Fourth Streets and will feature bounce houses, obstacle courses, huge slides, a wipeout, and more Friday 5-8 pm (& Saturday 1-8 pm).
- See Samantha’s Dance Academy perform at 6:15 pm at the brand-new Hy-Line Stage (in front of the Freedom Rock), then watch the Wilton High School Stepperettes at 6:45 pm.
- At the Community Room, BINGO will be offered Friday 7-9 pm (and Saturday 1-8 pm) by the dancers and parents of Samantha’s Dance Academy, who are raising funds for this year’s big competition. Bring your quarters!
- At 8 pm, Wilton native DJ Drew Minder will arrive at the Hy-Line Stage to keep the party hopping till midnight!
Saturday Morning, August 22
- While the race and other morning activities are going on, the Masonic Lodge will have their delicious Pancake Breakfast at 7-11 am and our local eateries will offer the Breakfast of Champions downtown 8-11 am.
- The Eager Beaver 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 am and the Kids’ 1-Mile Run will be at 9 am. Please register beforehand at 2026 — Eager Beaver Run — Race Roster. If you need to wait till the morning of the race, registration is 6:45-8 am, but it does cost more the day of. We are trying to encourage everyone to register ahead of time. Thank you!
- At 9:30 am, there will be a FREE Pop-a-Shot Tournament downtown for all ages. How many baskets can you make in 30 seconds, and will that score beat the person next to you?
- At 10 am the Fun Zone opens. On Saturday, the Pirate’s Revenge carnival ride returns to Cedar Street. New for 2026 is the Mechanical Bull! How long will you ride before you get thrown?!? Remember, the same wristband gets you into all Fun Zone inflatables and rides both days! The Fun Zone is open until 8 pm.
- We are going to celebrate the USA 250th in style with the Parade at 11:30 am, sponsored by Brothers Towing. Grand marshals will be the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and all veterans. Featured entertainers are the Black Hawk Pipes and Drums. Remember that there is no cost and no pre-registration to enter the parade. Just show up at the corner by the high school (Summit & Cypress) between 10 and 11:15 am. Can’t wait to see the ideas everyone comes up with to say Happy Birthday U.S.A.!
Saturday Afternoon, August 22
- Grab a treat and thank a veteran for their role in the USA’s 250 years at the Grand Marshal Reception at the American Legion at 1 pm.
- Look inside the historic Wilton Depot and learn a little local history, 1-4 pm.
- All parade vehicles are invited to park by Elder Park for the Post-Parade Car & Tractor Show, 1-4 pm. Give everyone a chance to admire your vehicle up close and personal.
- Samantha’s Dance will again offer BINGO 1-7 pm. Not only will you have fun playing BINGO, you will enjoy relaxing in the air-conditioned Community Room!
- Let the shopping, eating, and partying begin with A.R.B. Roofing’s Food & Vendor Market and the Party Patio & Beverage Depot opening at 1 pm!
- New this year at the Hy-Line Stage is the FREE Small Pet Show, 1:30-2:30. Pet owners of all ages can arrive at the stage before 1:15 to register their little furball, slimeball, cutie pie, creepy crawly, etc. See SMALL PET SHOW | Wilton Founders Day for the 16 different categories you might enter your little best friend to win in.
- At 4:30 is the Adult Cornhole Tournament in Elder Park. Show up a little early in order to register.
- Young Life invites students entering 9th-12th grade to the High Schoolers’ Open House & Game Night at the Young Life building on Cedar Street, 7-10 pm.
- Founders Day closes out with the fun, high-energy rock of Fair Warning on the Hy-Line Stage at 8 pm-12 midnight.
Sunday, August 23
- The Ministerial Association will lead the Community-Wide Church Service held at City Park at 10 am. Bring your lawn chairs and dress for the weather!
We need volunteers!
We need volunteers of all ages and abilities! Can you monitor an inflatable? Help with the car & tractor show? Help take things down on Sunday? Empty the food & beverage trash containers into dumpsters? Help with cornhole registration time? Click to see the schedule showing when volunteers are needed. Please contact us and we can get you signed up.
In Other News
Wahkonsa Country Club
is looking for volunteers to help with a big golf tournament coming up this weekend (August 8-9). They need volunteers to help with parking, cart staging, registration, general clubhouse help, and course spotters, and you get a free Wahkonsa T-shirt! Please sign up at the clubhouse or message them through their facebook page.
United Way Muscatine County
United Way wants you to know about Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities: being a RSVP Reading Mentor, a Pen Pal, or a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Email mason@unitedwaymuscatine.org or call 563-223-8497. For their Halloween Costume Drive September 1-15, United Way will collect new or gently used Halloween costumes for preschool and elementary children. They need businesses to be collection sites: https://forms.gle/rdE1EL8TWceaH8fw5.
