Bug & Bud Festival returns – Schedule Included

The Bug and Bud festival will be held on April 27 from 9 AM to 4 PM

The popular Bug and Bud Festival will return to downtown Milford on Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM until 4 PM. The festival this year, along with its organizer, Downtown Milford, Inc. (DMI), will have a new look.

“This year’s Bug and Bud Festival will recognize the 50th anniversary of the designation of the ladybug as the state bug, something that came about due to the perseverance of a 2nd grade class at Lulu Ross,” Sara LeBright, Executive Director of DMI, said. “We are so excited for this year’s festival which is geared completely toward families and children. All bounce houses and kid’s games will be free as DMI is covering all costs for these events.”

In addition to the free Kid’s Zone, the festival will feature over 200 vendors, including crafts, food and more. There will be a petting zoo courtesy of the Milford High School FFA, readings of a children’s book that features a ladybug, a presentation by Sussex Conservation that will provide information geared toward children about the importance of bugs, plants and more to the environment.

“Colin Walls and Jim Weller will be broadcasting live from 11 until 1 from the festival,” LeBright said. “We will also have “Dancing in the Street with Rooster.” Brian Chase, better known as Rooster from WCHK “The Chicken 101.3” will be playing music and the Walnut Street bridge will be open for dancing from Noon until 4 PM.”

The event kicks off with a Pet and People Parade from Bicentennial Park to the Library Amphitheater. Paraders are asked to meet at the gazebo in Bicentennial Park at 9:15 AM with the parade kicking off at 9:40 AM. Costumes are encouraged for both people and their pets. Once the parade arrives at the amphitheater, Boy Scouts will present the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance and the playing of the National Anthem.

“We will then have Representative Bryan Shupe read the festival proclamation and Claudia Leister of the Milford Museum will announce a brief history of how the ladybug became the state bug,” LeBright said. “We will introduce members of the second grade class that made that happen as well. After that, the festival kicks off in full swing!”

This year, DMI is adding something else new as a way to encourage festival goers to visit Milford’s unique businesses in the downtown area. For every $5 spent in a downtown business from 3 PM Friday, April 26 to 3 PM Saturday, April 27, if they bring the receipt to the main DMI Information Table located in front of the DMI office at 10 S. Walnut Street, they will receive a ticket to enter win one of four themed baskets. No raffle tickets will be sold and can only be obtained by purchasing $5 or more in downtown businesses.

“You can go to dinner at fondue or Benvenuto on Friday night, save the receipt and bring it to us on Saturday,” LeBright said. “All downtown businesses qualify so if you spend $5, you get one ticket, $25 you get five tickets, $50 you get 10 tickets.”

Walnut Street and Washington Streets will be closed from Northeast/Northwest Front Street to Southeast/Southwest Front Street as will Park Place and Denny’s Row from 5 AM until 5 PM on Saturday, April 27. DMI is looking for volunteers and anyone interested can contact the office at 302-839-1180 or email [email protected].