WILI (AM)

WILI

City of license	Willimantic, Connecticut
Branding	Good Company 14 WILI
Frequency	1400 kHz
First air date	October 5, 1957
Format	News/Talk/Sports
Power	1,000 watts
Class	C
Callsign meaning	WILlImantic
Affiliations	ABC, Westwood One
Owner	Hall Communications
Sister stations	WILI-FM
Website	http://www.wili-am.com/

WILI (1400 AM) is a radio station in Willimantic, Connecticut, broadcasting at a power of 1,000 watts, full-time. It is affiliated with the ABC Entertainment Network, the Red Sox Radio Network, and the UConn Basketball and Football Networks. Its sister station is WILI-FM/98.3.

Ownership

Former logo of the radio station used until July 2010

In May 2005, Florida-based Hall Communications 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 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.

External links

• WILI official website
• Query the FCC's AM station database for WILI
• Radio-Locator Information on WILI
• Query Nielsen Audio's AM station database for WILI