Raise a glass to Milford
By Ginny Privitar
MILFORD — Sometimes an idea is just too good to pass up. A Toast to Milford, the first craft beer festival in the area, coming Oct. 24, is one of them.
It all started when the Courier’s Inquiring Photographer asked folks around town what kind of festival they would like to see in Pike County. Alexis Edison of Milford answered, “A craft beer festival.”
That response was spotted by readers Julie and Blair Balogh, who thought it an excellent idea. The Baloghs live just outside Milford with their two young children. They had an interest in craft beers and thought it would be a great way to get more people to visit Milford.
To go back a bit: The Baloghs, frequent shoppers at the farmers market, had asked some vendors if they could volunteer their services. No, they were told, there was nothing to volunteer for — but it would help if they kept coming back to spend their money. They were also told Milford needed more events.
David Wallace, who runs the farmers market for the non-profit Air, Soil and Water group, invited the couple to a meeting of civic-minded people in August to brainstorm ideas to support local businesses and enhance the town. They had considered a wine-tasting but were swayed by the idea of a craft beer festival.
The group included people experienced in event planning for the town: Amy Eisenberg, organizer of Milford Craft Show and “Ladies Night Out"; Sean Strub of Hotel Fauchere and “On the Verge”; and Adriane Wendell of Harrington House, organizer of the Milford Music Fest and Septemberfest and write-in candidate for Boro Council.
“The next thing we knew," said Julie, "we were a committee of two for this event."
The couple has lived in Milford since 2005.
“We love it,” Julie said. “That’s the whole thing — we fell in love with the Boro of Milford.”
They hope the event will bring people out.
“A lot of our neighbors don’t go to town to shop," Julie said. "They’ll go to Middletown to shop."
She hopes the community will come together, and that friends and neighbors — who may not know each other yet — will come to town to shop.
Businesses get on boardThis is the first time the Baloghs have done anything like this. They’re not business people, just residents who want to see Milford thrive. They have contacted every business in town, not just restaurants, and most have signed on. A few newer businesses were not quite ready but said they would like to be part of it next year. Many want to see it become an annual event.
"It’s good for business and good for the town to get everybody engaged," said John Jorgenson of the Dimmick Inn, which is among the participants. "What we’re hoping is people who normally don’t come out, will come out and give everybody a shot.”
Michael Gruodis of The Artisan Exchange said the event offers a great chance to promote Milford.
"A lot of people have not been to some of the stores," he said. "We have several new stores in Milford. It’s a chance for people to walk around, enjoy the town and explore stores that they’ve never been to or haven’t been to for a while” to explore what’s new.
Scott Meyers, chef de cuisine at the Hotel Fauchere, said he likes that the event is so Milford-centric. “The most important thing is using local product," he said.
Local businesses throughout the town will be serving complimentary tastings of craft beers and food at various times throughout the day, from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., depending on the location (Please see sidebar). Check them all out and have a great time exploring Milford.
Owner Sean Gilmartin of Sweet, Sweet Wonderland, which will be offering baked treats, said, “We need to bring business into Milford. The more people can do in this town, the more people will come to this town — and that’s how towns grow.”
Oh! And in case you take a few too many tastes of beer or wine, there's a free designated driver service to take you home, courtesy of Arrive Alive Pike at 570-269-7738.
For more information visit www.milfordpa.us.