Want a good scare for St. Patrick’s Day? Look in Milford

A Milford tattoo shop is sponsoring a haunted alley for St. Patrick’s Day

Community events were a way of life in Milford until COVID-19 caused the cancellation of practically everything – concerts, festivals, haunted houses.

Mike Perfetti hopes to change that on a small basis Saturday.

Perfetti and his Delaware Branding Co., a tattoo and piercing shop in downtown Milford, are sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Day haunted walk-through in the alley next door to the studio at 19 N.W. Front St.

It’s just a way to make up for some of the fun lost in the last year, said Perfetti.

“Milford is known for its festivals.” he said. He’s previously sponsored events such as Mirufodocon, Milford’s first anime convention.

When he heard the annual St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl was canceled this year, he decided to do something.

“I have an alley and friends who do ‘Screams at the Beach,’” he said. He got the idea from people hosting Krampus houses – haunted Christmas houses – at Christmas time.

The alley will feature static displays populated by actors as evil leprechauns, ghouls and goblins. Participants will be able to walk through with their group toward a band playing at the end.

Perfetti believes people are looking for something to do. 

Since coming up with the idea for the alley walk-through, he’s had people call him every day saying they want to help.

 Maintaining social distancing and wearing masks is important to keep people safe, he said.

“It’s a keep-it-moving type of thing,” he said. “A great quick night out for the family and an excellent way to prepare for your own unofficial pub crawl.”

Perfetti said it’s up to the little guy to fill space with small happenings until things can get back to normal.

Big festival promoters won’t have time to organize events right away once everything opens up again.

This event is free and open to all ages. Donations will be accepted and proceeds will be reinvested into the next Haunted Holiday.

The St. Patrick’s event starts at 7 p.m. for kids so it won’t be so dark and spooky for them; it ends at 9 p.m.