Few festivals pack as much fun into a single day as the . Here's a look at what to check out next Saturday, August 18th. Click on the links to learn about the attractions and events:
Music
1970's prog/arena rock superstars Kansas will be performing at Fowler Field at 3:45 p.m. Check out openers Waking Elliot, Rum Runners, and Northern Renegade in the early afternoon.
Kids
Magician Adam Parisi will be putting on shows at the Armory Square Stage at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Appearing at the Children's Stage at will be:
- Packard's Martial Arts
- New England Ballet School & Company
- Mr. Gym
- Al deCant
- Puppeteer/Ventriloquist Steve Taylor
In the parking lot behind and will be a number of attractions, including:
- Bungee Extreme
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers Slap Shot Machine
- Gargano Can-Am & ATV's
- National Guard Obstacle Course and Rock Wall
- A BMX Stunt Show from
- Zumba from Studio Z Fitness
Food Court
Cold beer, sausage & peppers, lobster rolls, fried dough, turkey legs, burgers, hot dogs, fried seafood, corn dogs, steak & cheese and, of course, oysters will all be served at Fowler Field.
- 200 artists & crafters will be participating in a giant Arts & Crafts Show.
- Various non-profit, civic, and environmental exhibitors will be promoting their organizations and sharing information with the community.
- Main Street USA will feature small to medium size businesses introducing their products and services to you.
Classic Car & Motorcycle Show
Down at , a Classic Car & Montorcycle Show will be taking place from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Schooner Cruises
Throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, 1 1/2 and 2 hour trips aboard SoundWaters will depart from the Milford Boat Ramp behind the . Cruise prices range from $25 to $45 per person.
Oyster Contests
There will be two Oyster Shucking Contests at 12:15 p.. and 1:15 p.m., with an Oyster Eating Contest at 2:00 p.m.
Fire & Police Departments
- will be conducting a K-9 demonstration at the stone bridge across from the Milford Library at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
- There will be a Fire Department Open House on New Haven Ave. across from the Milford Library, and the Firefighter Dunk Tank will be going on all day across from .
Canoe & Kayak Race
Taking place at the Milford Boat Ramp behind the Milford Library, the race begins 8:30 a.m, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m.
For more information and event times, check out the PDF document underneath the 'Photos' section of this article or visit http://www.milfordoysterfestival.com/
It's not a level playing field anymore.
Now, I hear, AMOFC is in a position where to fill the food court and surrounding areas, they are going to allow For Profit, commercial Vendors, and Agencies outside of Milford to set up shop. Have they forgotten their mission statement?: AMOF's goal of providing a forum for non-profit fundraising is accomplished by promotion of a wide variety of family entertainment and wide variety of food and beverages available for sale at minimal costs by local Milford non-profit civic organizations who use the revenues earned during the Festival to fund their respective charitable causes.
At the same time we buy soda and water locally and resell them at a price set by the Oysterfest Committee. What profit we make is determined by the price we can buy the supplies for locally, the price we sell it for, the competition near us and the weather. For our effort, using over a dozen members during the open hours, we made about $350 last year. How many visitors buy soda at 10AM when we must be open? The Milford Oysterfest is no longer the event it used to be, especially for local charities. Finally, the city has a part in this downward trend. Such as Insurance requirements, Board of Health requirements, Fire Dept inspections and overtime pay, Police Dept overtime pay. The list goes on. A few years ago, I asked that since I was handicapped and was working at Fowler Field during the morning and was working on the Green after noon, I requested the Committee to give me a ride in one of their golf carts between the two sites. Their reply to me was that the carts were for committee members only and no handicapped residents may be transported. Since then I use my own small electric cart for transportation. (others with connections are being transported, but not me)
BTW, at the OYSTERfest, how many places sell Oysters?
If you don't like something, join in and fix it! http://www.milfordoysterfestival.com/index.php/festival-info/interested-in-volunteering
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it odd that whenever "non-profit" is mentioned...people start quarreling over money? Talk is cheap! If you want to support your local non-profits, or community organizations (sounds like everyone here does!) then get out there and volunteer your time and resources.
quit your whinning and join the commitee if you dont like how its run