The 22nd Annual Bud and Bug Festival is planned for Saturday, April 26 from 9 AM to 4 PM. This kick-off to spring will feature entertainment, vendors, food trucks and the popular People and Pet Parade.
“This year we have changed it up just a bit,” Neyda Albarran, Promotions Chairperson for Downtown Milford Inc. who puts on the festival, said. “We want to promote the fact that Milford is bicycle friendly, so we are asking children and adults to decorate their bicycles with spring-themed decorations. We also want to to see some fun costumes. There will be prizes for the best decorated bicycle as well as costume categories.”
Downtown Milford Inc. is asking those in the parade to dress as flowers, trees, ladybugs, butterflies or anything else “spring related.” Awards will be given to the best “bug,” the best “flower,” and the best “tree” costumes. Prizes will be awarded in both adult and child categories.
“The parade will be led by our grand marshal, Charles Gray, who has just a little bit of experience creating parades downtown as he has coordinated and led the Milford Community Parade for many years,” Albarran said. “The parade will start at the end of Washington Street in front of Studio You, walk around Penny Square on the sidewalk, then head down the center of Walnut Street to the library amphitheater where prizes will be awarded.”
There will also be entertainment all day at the amphitheater, a Kid’s Zone that will include bounce houses and games. Everything in Kids Zone is free for all who attend.
“We have over 125 craft vendors as well as about 15 food trucks,” Alabarran said. “We have set up two food courts, one in the state parking lot and one in the parking lot across from Park Place to make it easier for people to find food during the festival. Of course, we highly encourage visitors to enjoy delicious meals at our local restaurants and shop in our stores that day as well.”
Entertainment will be featured all day, starting with the Downtown Dixie Land Band at 10 AM, followed by Colombian singer Rossie Trivino at 2 PM. Trivino, who hails from New Jersey, will provide Spanish hit music. The Fuzaholics from Wilmington will perform R&B, pop and funk starting at 3 PM. The day will end with DJ Dave & the Vibes Brothers providing 80s and 90s dance party along with karoke.
“Categories for the parade will be baby/toddler, child, adult, pet and bike,” Albarran said.
The festival began in 2004 for two reasons. The first was that Milford received designation as a Tree City after meeting certifications by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This was spearheaded by Gary Emory, then director of Milford Parks & Recreation and then-arborist, the late Bill Pike. The second reason was that it was the 30th anniversary of the dedication of the ladybug as the Delaware State bug.
“It was a second-grade class at Lulu Ross Elementary School who pushed the legislature to name the ladybug as the state bug,” Albarran said. “The governor literally signed the law on the back of a child from Milford wearing a ladybug costume. Of course, we had to recognize that anniversary. Last year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of that designation.”
Originally, the festival was a partnership with Downtown Milfford Inc. and Milford Parks & Recreation Department. A news article announced in 2015 that $8,758 was donated to the department, half the proceeds of the event. Over the years, the event has become one of the largest fund raisers for Downtown Milford Inc.
To encourage festival attendees to shop and dine in downtown establishments, gift baskets will be available at the Downtown Milford table, located in front of their new office at 15 North Walnut Street. To get a raffle ticket, spend $5 in any downtown restaurant or business and bring the receipt to the table and get a free raffle ticket for each $5 spent. So, spend $5, get one ticket, $20, get four tickets, etc. This offer starts Friday, April 25 at 4 PM and runs until Saturday, April 26 at 3 PM.
“Keep in mind that we have expanded our footprint, so if you spend money at Not Too Shabby or Glasshowes, you get a free ticket,” Albarran said. “Planning dinner at Big Oyster or playing a round of golf at Southern Delaware Golf Course Friday afternoon? Those receipts count too. If you are not sure if a receipt qualifies, simply bring it to the table and we will help you!”
The event is rain or shine, and volunteers are still needed. If you are interested in volunteering, click here and fill out the easy form. For more information, contact Downtown Milford at 302-839-1180 or 302-393-6808. You can also email Albarron by clicking here.
