The fifth annual edition of MILFORD ALIVE! will include a nutty bed race – a beloved and enduring Milford tradition – plus plenty of live music and food to suit a variety of tastes, and a chance to ride behind a newly restored locomotive named Millie. Fireworks conclude the day's festivities. All these attractions and many more are offered...
The fifth annual edition of MILFORD ALIVE! will include a nutty bed race - a beloved and enduring Milford tradition - plus plenty of live music and food to suit a variety of tastes, and a chance to ride behind a newly restored locomotive named Millie. Fireworks conclude the day's festivities.
All these attractions and many more are offered on Saturday, Sept. 24, noon to 8:30 p.m. The action will stretch from Water Street (Route 519) down Bridge Street to the Delaware River.
"MILFORD ALIVE! is our way of thanking our community while celebrating our little town. Except for the food, the whole experience is free," explains Melissa Harrison, president of the Milford Merchants Association. She added, "If you are from here, you'll see your neighbors, and if you're not from here, we hope you'll get acquainted with us."
A variety of musical acts will share two outdoor stages - Stage Left is near the drive-in bank at the center of town and the Main Stage is in the parking lot of the Milford Presbyterian Church. The bands and their genres include:
Waterfront Blue, blend of blues, jazz, jam and soul; Liz Nordstrom Band, Americana/country; JLT All Stars, blues and Southern rock; Na'Bodach, Celtic; Life Story, pop rock; Roi and the Secret People ("one part Elvis Costello, one part Tom Petty and one part Nick Lowe..."); A Halo Called Fred, beyond description; We May Be Right, primarily a Billy Joel tribute band; and Robert Viola, guitarist and singer.
Celtic magician Daniel GreenWolf will present two shows; stilt walker Mary Kelly Rayel will mingle with the crowd; biplanes from Van Sant Airport will fly over from Bucks County; River Union Stage will put on puppet shows; Mill Ballet School students will dance; the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will supply a juggling magician; churches and schools will offer craft activities for kids; students from KI Training and Fitness Center and Westling's Martial Arts Academy and the Del Val Junior Terrier cheerleaders will demonstrate their skills; artists, crafters and other vendors will offer their wares; and free face painting will be done by Doodle Faces, compliments of the Milford Merchants Association.
Millie, the little newly restored locomotive from JCP&L's Gilbert Station, will be pulling cabooseloads of rail fans, and rides will also be offered on rail speeders (track-crew cars).
Local authors, organized by Frenchtown's Book Garden, will be signing their books. Some of the authors are Denny Daikeler of Milford, Felicia Sanzari Chernesky of Raritan Township, Therese Halscheid, Hal Taylor, Rolf Margenau, Caroline Scutt and Robert Rando.
Amusements will include a speed pitch, a bounce house and an inflatable Golfzilla to help duffers tune up their short games.
The Milford Fire Department will host a pig roast and clam bake, and other edible offerings will include alligator-on-a-stick by Crave Cajun, kettle corn, hamburgers by the Milford Lions, crepes by Boy Scout Troop 187, goodies by Chocolate in the Oven, ice cream and waffles by Thee Ice Cream Parlor, hot chili by United Church of Christ, Maria's homemade pierogies, treats from Mister Softee, Kona Ice sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of Milford, shrimp and a variety of wraps from The Shrimp Man, and Aunt DeeDee's food truck featuring oven-baked goodness. Garden State Underwater Recovery Unit will be selling sausage and peppers, roast beef and hot dogs.
The Milford PTO will hold its third annual rubber-duck race on Q Creek. The ducks will be set adrift near the Ship Inn. The finish line is near the Presbyterian Church.
It costs $5 to sponsor a duck, and tickets will be available from the PTO on the afternoon of MILFORD ALIVE. All proceeds help the PTO enrich the Milford Public School experience for students and their families. The sponsor of the speediest rubber duck will win 25 percent of the total sales. Second prize is 15 percent, and third prize is 10 percent.
Bed Race festivities, emceed by George Wismer, will begin with a parade of the racing vehicles, which have more or less of a bed-like appearance, up Bridge Street. Trophies will be awarded for funniest and most original, so humor is encouraged and amusement is anticipated.
The "beds," each containing one rider and propelled by three pushers, will race the length of Bridge Street, one at at time against the clock. The most-coveted trophy will go to the rule-compliant racer with the best time, although all participants are expected to have a good time.
The event will include remarks by Freeholder Director Suzanne Lagay and congressional candidate Peter Jacob.
MILFORD ALIVE!'s grand finale will be a fireworks display by Garden State Fireworks.
Submitted by MILFORD ALIVE!