BE PREPARED - EVEN TO CANCEL - MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

Memorial Day Parade 2026: Event Update & Behind‑the‑Scenes Look at CERT Operations

On May 24, 2026, the Town of Wilton announced the cancellation of the Memorial Day Parade scheduled for Monday, May 25, due to public safety concerns related to the weather forecast. Many towns across Connecticut made similar decisions.

The Town expressed its appreciation for residents’ understanding and wished everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend as we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

What the Parade Typically Includes

Each year, the Memorial Day Parade begins at 21 River Road and proceeds through Wilton Center. The procession traditionally features:

• Veterans and Dignitaries

• Bagpipers and the Wilton High School Band

• Military vehicles and antique cars

• Emergency vehicles

• Scout troops

• Local organizations and sports teams

This year’s parade was also scheduled to include a C‑130 flyover along the full parade route. Participants would have slow‑marched and saluted the flags at the American Legion Post and the Veterans Memorial Green before continuing up Old Ridgefield Road to Wilton Congregational Church, then to Hillside Cemetery for the annual Memorial Service.

Wilton Police and Wilton CERT work together each year to manage road closures, traffic management and ensure the safety of all participants and spectators.

Behind the Scenes: How CERT Prepares for Major Events

Although this year’s parade did not take place, we want to share the extensive planning and coordination that go into supporting Wilton’s community events.  

Interagency Coordination

In the weeks leading up to major events, Wilton CERT leadership meets with:

• Wilton Police Department

• Wilton Fire Department

• Town officials

• Event organizers

Clear communication is essential to ensuring that every detail is understood and every safety consideration is addressed. Multiple planning meetings are held, often weekly, involving the Deployment Captain, Deputy Deployment Captain, CERT Executive Director, and experienced CERT members who help in planning and guiding newer volunteers.

Volunteer Mobilization

CERT volunteers are contacted weeks in advance to assemble the team needed for each event. For the 2026 Memorial Day Parade:

• 39 CERT members were assigned

• 13 posts were staffed

• 13 Post Captains were designated

• 3 members to staff the Command Center

• 7 newly trained CERTs were preparing for their first major deployment

Equipment & Logistics

Supporting the parade requires significant logistical preparation. This year:

• 147 pieces of CERT equipment were allocated for road closures and traffic control

• Variable Message Signs (VMS) were placed along Route 7 and throughout town days in advance

• All CERT vehicles were scheduled for use, requiring specialized driver training

• 4 VMS were deployed, updates with "PARADE CANCELLED" and readied for the next Deployment

The Memorial Day Parade is one of Wilton CERT’s most complex planned events due to the number of road closures and the tight timeline of activities. To manage this, CERT prepares detailed lists, maps, and phased plans—Phase 1 and Phase 2—with clearly defined duties and timelines to ensure a smooth transition from closures to safe road reopening.

Communication: The Foundation of Safety

Communication is central to CERT operations. Members receive ongoing radio training throughout the year, with an additional refresher before each deployment. Every CERT on every post is issued a radio and required to check in. Cell phones are recommended for 911 calls.

A minimum of two CERTs are assigned to each post, with high‑traffic areas staffed by three or more. Training in traffic management, situational awareness, and basic medical first aid is continuous and reinforced before every major event.

Thank You to Our Volunteers

We are deeply grateful to all the CERT members who signed up, trained, and prepared for this year’s parade. We also fully support the Town’s decision to cancel the event for public safety—protecting residents, participants, and the first responders of Wilton Police, Fire, and EMS.