Update: Milford Music Festival will go on July 12 and 13

Milford — The vision of the Milford Music Festival has come back to life again after a community effort to ensure the music goes on and with their combined efforts, the Milford Music Festival Board of Directors announced on May 1 that there will be a festival. This year will mark the sixth year of this Milford tradition, a free cultural event that brings a unique mix of music to the heart and soul of the historic town and will take place in the Ann St. Park the weekend of July 12 and 13. As in previous years, the main stage will feature an array of performances from many different genres to entice the likes of all musical tastes. In 2007, the festival attracted more than 7,000 people over the course of its three-day schedule, bringing much diversity to the town. Many festival goers were enticed by the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason and stayed to enjoy the music, ambiance, scenery and culture of Milford. This year’s festival promises to be full of the same excitement. On Saturday July 12, eight acts will bring the Ann St. stage to life with two sets of programming for the day. The morning schedule will start at approximately 10:30 a.m. and conclude around 1:30 p.m., giving festival-goers an opportunity to check out other events throughout the town. The afternoon schedule will begin at 3:30 p.m., with the headliner - still to be announced - taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. and wrapping up Saturday’s portion of musical performances around 8:30 p.m. Even after the final note is played in the park Saturday evening, festivities will continue throughout Milford with after party events being scheduled in local restaurants. Art After Dark artist exhibits will be on display in the town’s many galleries adding to the many things to see, do and hear after the main stage has called it an evening. On Sunday, July 13, the Music In The Park group will showcase some of the talent it has lined up for it’s summer series on the Festival’s main stage. For more information about Music In The Park, please contact John Brodersen at 570-296-1002. In conjunction with the Ann St. performances, various restaurants and stores on the main streets will feature musical acts on both Saturday and Sunday. The Milford Business Council will also join the merriment by hosting a Sidewalk Shopping Festival on the main streets of town all weekend long. Neighboring Grey Towers National Historic Site will host a literary arts weekend on both days as well. The Milford Music Festival board found new strength and optimism in regards to securing the funds necessary to produce the weekend-long event when local business leaders came forward to offer more of their financial support to the festival. Their actions were prompted by the announcement of the slowed economy affecting the status and ultimately the cancellation of the festival. With this added interest, the nonprofit group’s operating budget was reevaluated and plans for the weekend festival restored. The Board Members will continue to reach out to the community for sustenance of the weekend. In an effort to offset the cost of the free festival, a wine and cheese fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at The Laurel Villa in Milford. The fundraising event will feature a live musical act and silent auction. All proceeds will be used to produce July’s Milford Music Festival. The Milford Music Festival is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible and can be sent to P.O. Box 1385, Milford, PA 18337. For information on becoming a sponsor or volunteering, contact Amy Eisenberg at 570-296-6006 or via email at amymilfordmusic@yahoo.com. For more information about Milford Music Festival, please visit www.milfordmusic.org.