Wishes on Wheels Rolls into East Hartford

This Sunday, September 19 at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine, a convoy of more than 500 trucks will gather at Rentschler Field in East Hartford to raise money for Make-A-Wish Connecticut. Departing along a parade route on I-84 and I-384 around 9:30 a.m., hundreds of trucks will make their 22nd annual debut. After the parade, at noon, wish families and the entire community is invited to enjoy a carnival-like celebration with wonderful family-friendly activities and prize drawings.

“With this being our 22nd year, there are so many to thank for our success,” shares Kristin Garrison, President of the Wishes on Wheels Inc. board of directors. “Our volunteers are motivated by passion. All the drivers and sponsors recognize that Wishes on Wheels helps fund wishes, which gives them the desire to help. Finally, we thank all the residents of East Hartford, who tolerate the traffic near Rentschler field, knowing that it is all for a great cause.”

Since it began 22 years ago, the annual “Wishes on Wheels” Truck Convoy – the largest truck convoy in New England - has raised close to 2 million dollars for Make-A-Wish Connecticut, granting countless wishes to local children with critical illnesses. They are passionate about bringing together families and the trucking industry to raise awareness, hope and spirit for children with critical illnesses.

The convoy’s route is listed below. Residents are advised to expect heavy delays throughout the convoy route on Sunday morning.

Registration for this event opens at 6:30 a.m. For questions regarding Wishes on Wheels, visit wishesonwheels.com. For questions regarding Make-A-Wish Connecticut, call 203.261.9044 or visit ct.wish.org.

CONVOY ROUTE & ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION:

TYPE OF SPECIAL EVENT: Wishes on Wheels Truck Convoy

WHERE: Rentschler Field, 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford

WHEN: Sunday, September 19th, 2021 all day beginning at 8:00 a.m.

ROUTE:

The trucks will depart from Rentschler Field between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Sunday, September 19, 2021 crossing over Silver Lane in East Hartford and then onto Roberts Street and directly onto I-84 East. From here they will travel I-384 East traveling to Exit 5 and exiting. They will go left onto Route 85 in Bolton and get right back on the entrance ramp to I-384 West. Then they will exit I-384 West onto I-84 West and exit at Exit 58 - Roberts Street, turning left onto Roberts Street and crossing over Silver Lane back to Rentschler Field via the Cabela's/Pratt & Whitney entrance at 12:00 p.m.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Police will escort this Special Event.

ABOUT WISHES ON WHEELS

Wishes on Wheels, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization made up of passionate and hardworking volunteers committed to a shared goal - to organize a family-friendly truck convoy and event to bring together families, friends and community members to support children with critical illnesses. For more information about Wishes on Wheels, visit wishesonwheels.com.

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH CONNECTICUT

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because every child deserves a childhood. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illnesses. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers across the state unite to deliver hope to wish kids and their families when they need it most. In total, Make-A-Wish Connecticut has granted more than 3,600 wishes to local children. For more information about Make-A-Wish Connecticut, visit wish.org/ct.