July 4th Logo Chosen, Plans Push Forward Without Carnival

Two nights of fireworks will go on as planned.

Plans are moving forward for the week-long Fourth of July Celebration -- albeit a scaled back version. Last week, the Fourth of July Committee met and voted to push ahead with all of the planned activities for the 33rd annual community event, despite the absence of the popular multi-day carnival. Due to the construction work being done for the new high school, the committee had hoped to relocate the carnival to the parking lot adjacent to the Fourth of July Building. However, those plans were scuttled earlier this month when the Board of Appeals, in a 3-2 vote, rejected the committee's application for a special permit due to concerns raised by abutters regarding noise, lights and illegal activity connected to the carnival. Unfortunately, …

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Niko Pappas

5:08 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013

Since when is the best way to gather a following to patronize Wilmington High School students like this? Please, show them some respect.   more ›

You Ask... Patch Answers

Has The July 4th Carnival Been Cancelled For This Year?

A reader wants to know if the carnival, a centerpiece of the July 4th festivities, will be held despite permitting problems.

Question: I heard that the Board of Appeals denied a permit for the July 4th carnival. Does that mean it's cancelled or is there some type of appeal process? Answer: Your information is correct. Earlier this week, the five-member Board of Appeals denied a special permit needed for the carnival to take place this year. The problem is connected to the construction of the new high school. Because of that construction, the July 4th Committee put forth a plan to hold the carnival in the parking lot adjacent to the Fourth of July Building. As is the case each year, the committee needs Board of Appeals approval for the carnival. However, because of the new location, the permit application generated concerns from abutters, who were concerned about…

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The Joker

8:37 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013

Hahaha   more ›

High School Construction Forces Relocation of July 4th Events

Festival's new location raises some concerns among officials, neighbors.

Despite the ongoing high school construction project, Wilmington's 33rd Annual Fourth of July Festival will go on as scheduled. Just not in the same place. At their meeting on March 11, selectmen heard about revised plans from Scott Garrant, Chairman of the Fourth of July Committee. The Festival is scheduled to run July 2-7 and will include a carnival, fireworks, games and activities, as well as booths run by many of the community non-profit organizations. At the Board of Selectmen's meeting, Garrant spelled out a plan to locate activities, rides and booths to a parking lot area near the Fourth of July Building, as well as a parcel of land that was once home to the Swain School, according to article appearing in the Town Crier. Garrant …

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Niko Pappas

5:17 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013

Let's put it this way. If I lived on Powderhouse Circle I'd be running down and joining the festivities each day. Wilmington is unique to every other town around it with our incredibly rousing celebration that brings everybody together. It's only for a few days out of the year, and it's not like it's going to happen every year. You have to give consideration to the greater good and look at it in …   more ›

For Now, Fourth of July Planning in Limbo After Appeals

Fourth of July Committee chairman Scott Garrant said event planners will have to assess how the appeals impact them at their September meeting.

For Wilmington’s Fourth of July planners, it isn’t a matter of if high school construction changes the structure of the town’s annual celebration. It’s just a matter of when. Fourth of July Committee chairman Scott Garrant said that though the festivities just wrapped up about one month ago, he and other planners will soon begin working on 2013. But the pair of appeals that currently remain unresolved could make planning efforts a bit more difficult for the committee. “The appeals are leaving us in limbo a little bit as to when we have to make adjustments to our celebration,” said Garrant. “We have a pretty good idea of what we hope to be able to do during construction years and once the new school is completed. It’s just a matter of when …

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A Slice of Wilmington

Fourth Provides Big-Time Fun and Small Town Feel

Wilmington love Independence Day, evident after a successful five day celebration.

Ok, let’s face it. Wilmington loves the Fourth of July. Yes, there are lots of surrounding towns that celebrate the holiday but, honestly, few are as passionate and as dedicated to Fun on the Fourth as Wilmington. While some towns host fireworks and others host carnivals, Wilmington’s celebration is a full five days of community based fun including everything from breakfasts and dinners to concerts and sports tournaments. Let’s face the facts. Where else but Wilmington’s can you enjoy a doll carriage parade, petting zoo, three legged race, tug of war, hula hoop contest, sack race, bucket brigade, carnival and family fireworks all in one day? It’s hard to say exactly why Wilmington’s Fourth of July Pride has grown so much over the years but…

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Fireworks Displays Set for Tonight Outside of Wilmington

Here's a look at where you can head to watch the fireworks now that Wilmington's festivities are done until next year.

Sure, Wilmington's Fourth of July festivities may be wrapped up after five days of fun. But that just means you've got some free time tonight for some more fireworks. Below is a list of fireworks displays scheduled over the next two days in surrounding towns. If you have been to any in the past, or end up attending one this year, be sure to let your fellow readers know the scoop on the fireworks in the comments section below. Happy Fourth of July, Wilmington! Wednesday, July 4 Thursday, July 5

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VIDEO: Evil Empire Strikes For Bed Race Win

Despite strong efforts by the competition, Evil Empire toppled defending champion Arlene Ave. to earn hospital bed crown at the annual Wilmington Fourth of July event.

Wilmington has a new king of hospital bed racing. Kind of. Evil Empire, led by Lou Cimaglia, Jr., who was a domainant racer several years ago as a member of Local Heroes, surprised its fellow competitors by showing up to Monday's race and running away with the coveted championship and all of the bragging rights that go along with it. The squad needed to win back-to-back races to dethrone defending champion Arlene Ave. Evil Empire did just that, winning each competition easily to snag the title that is earned every Fourth of July. Among the teams left in the dust were Wilmington Patch, Women of Wilmington and Wilmington Moms Club, along with the current Local Heroes team which included Lou's brother, Nick Cimaglia. For those unfamiliar with…

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Fourth Organizers Ask for Help Preserving Grass

Fourth of July Committee asks residents not to spread out blankets on Town Common too early on Tuesday.

Wilmington residents will be packing Town Common early on Tuesday for the fireworks display that serves as the finale of a week jam packed with family events. But event organizers are asking residents not to set up shop too soon. Fourth of July Committee chairman Scott Garrant asked residents to be considerate of the grass on Town Common when they make plans for Tuesday night's fireworks. "Due to the high temperatures and concern for the grass on the Town Common, blankets cannot be placed on the Common until after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3," said Garrant. "If you are attending the events on Monday, blankets may be used but, if you plan to leave your blanket on the Common, it must be left folded and placed on top of a chair after the …

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