WILI (1400

kHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), often described as being equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose formal expression in terms of SI base uni ...

) is an

AM radio AM broadcasting is radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation (AM) transmissions. It was the first method developed for making audio radio transmissions, and is still used worldwide, primarily for medium wave (also known as "AM band") transmi ...

station in

Willimantic, Connecticut Willimantic is a census-designated place located in Windham, Connecticut, United States. Previously organized as a city and later as a Borough (Connecticut), borough, Willimantic is currently one of two Local government in Connecticut#Special ta ...

, broadcasting at a power of 1,000 watts, full-time. WILI's programming is also heard on

translator station A broadcast relay station, also known as a satellite station, relay transmitter, broadcast translator (U.S.), re-broadcaster (Canada), repeater (two-way radio) or complementary station (Mexico), is a broadcast transmitter which repeats (or tran ...

W237EL (95.3 FM). It is affiliated with the ABC Entertainment Network, the

Red Sox Radio Network The Boston Red Sox Radio Network is an American radio network composed of 54 radio stations which carry English language coverage of the Boston Red Sox, a professional baseball team in Major League Baseball (MLB). Lawrence, Massachusetts station ...

, and the UConn Basketball and Football Networks. Its sister station is

WILI-FM WILI-FM (98.3 FM, "Hit Music i-98.3") is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to the village of Willimantic, Connecticut, it serves eastern Connecticut. It is the sister station to WILI (1400 AM). The station is currently ow ...

(98.3). The station is owned by

Hall Communications Hall Communications, Inc. is a broadcasting company based in Lakeland, Florida. The company currently owns 17 radio stations in Polk County, Florida; eastern Connecticut; New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Burlington, Vermont. History The company w ...

, Inc. and its studios are located on Main Street in Willimatic, near the

Willimantic Footbridge The Willimantic Footbridge is a pedestrian bridge in the Willimantic, Connecticut, Willimantic section of Windham, Connecticut. Built in 1906, it extends from Main Street southward, across Riverside Drive, railroad tracks, and the Willimantic R ...

Ownership

In May 2005, Florida-based

reached an agreement to acquire WILI and WILI-FM from Nutmeg Broadcasting Co. At the time of the purchase, Hall already owned WICH and WCTY in Norwich and WNLC and

WKNL WKNL (100.9 FM broadcasting, FM, "Big 100.9") is a radio station licensed to serve New London, Connecticut. The station is owned by Hall Communications, Hall Communications, Inc., which owns a number of stations in medium-sized markets along the ...

in New London. In addition, Hall owns a number of stations in medium-sized markets along the eastern seaboard from Vermont to Florida.

Boom Box Parade

WILI has gained international attention for its unusual July 4 Boom Box Parade. Called "Connecticut's Unique People's Parade," it is the largest parade of its kind in the world. In 1986, no marching band could be found for Windham's Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later, the "Boom Box Parade" concept was born, as WILI plays the marching band music on the air, while thousands march and watch, loudly playing their radios boom boxes. Anyone can march in the Boom Box Parade. The only requirement is to wear some red, white, and blue, and bring a radio tuned to WILI. American flags are optional, but encouraged. There is no official theme for the parade. Every year WILI morning disc jockey Wayne Norman serves as the parade's Grand Marshal. It was not held in 2020 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic but a Virtual Version was held instead.

Translators

References

External links

* * * {{Hall Communications Willimantic, Connecticut Windham County, Connecticut

ILI Ili, ILI, Illi may refer to: Abbreviations * Indian Law Institute * Influenza-like illness * Intelligent Land Investments * Intensive lifestyle intervention, a type of lifestyle medicine * International Law Institute, a non-profit organization ...

Radio stations established in 1957 1957 establishments in Connecticut Full service radio stations in the United States Mainstream adult contemporary radio stations in the United States News and talk radio stations in the United States