The 2017 Milford Fest committee met at the Milford Community Center to put finishing touches on the upcoming day’s activities. The event is organized and sponsored by the Milford Lions Club. The Town of Milford and local area businesses help to sponsor the highly anticipated Memorial weekend event. Pictured, from left, are Tricia Gall, Lavone Miller, Ron Marquart, Judy Marquart, Marcy Haab, Steve Haab, Amber Kolberg, Barb Zimmerman, Jerry Bethel and Brenda Bethel. (Photo by Nicholette Hodgson)

MILFORD — For Milford residents Memorial Day weekend also brings the annual Milford Fest celebration organized by the Milford Lions Club. Milford Fest is made possible through the Lions, the Town of Milford, The Papers Inc., Beer and Jessop Amusements, Chore Time Brock, Phend and Brown and other local businesses. A variety of entertainment and excitement await festival goers from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 27.

Following tradition, Milford Fest begins with the Milford Kiwanis holding a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7-11 a.m. at the community building. Community wide garage sales will be set up throughout town from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those who wish to go shopping during the day’s festivities.

The car, motorcycle and tractor show will be back again this year with a variety of categories including best antique tractor, best Corvette and oldest vehicle. Registration will take place from 9-11 a.m. with a $10 entry fee. Following that will be judging with award presentation at 3 p.m. There will be door prizes and the first 75 entrants will also receive dash plaques.

Milford Public Library will once again be holding its Friends of the Library book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with books of all varieties available. At 10 a.m. food vendors as well as arts and crafts vendors will open.

This year, just like last year, Milford Fest will contain fun for the entire family. Carnival rides, food vendors, pony rides and carnival games will be available for individuals of all ages. Entertainment, library book sales, garage sales and a car show will also take place throughout the day. Pictured is a portion of the midway from Milford Fest 2016. (File photo)

The first event to take stage will be the Cutie Contest at 10 a.m. Children ages 2-5 who live within the Milford school district or have grandparents who have addresses that qualify are invited to participate. Dress is casual and entrants are asked to sign in between 9:15-9:45 a.m. The Cutie Prince and Princess and Cutie King and Queen will be chosen and announced at the end of the contest

Pre-registration is free but required for both the Cutie Contest and talent show. Forms can be at the Milford Public Library, town clerk’s office or online at www.milfordfest.org and must be turned in to the library or town hall by Thursday, May 25.

For everyone who has worked up an appetite, the Milford Fire Department will be selling ribeye steak sandwiches at the fire station starting at 11 a.m. until they are sold out. Beginning at 11 a.m., free carnival rides provided by Beer and Jessop Amusements and sponsored by local businesses will be found lining Main Street and will continue until the end of the festival. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. free pony rides will also be offered for kids to enjoy.

A gospel singing group, Living Word, will take the stage at 11 a.m. followed by the 45 Degree Church Band at 12:15 p.m. A motown group, Spaniels, will continue the day’s music from 1-3 p.m.

The musicians will take a break at 1:45 p.m. for the announcement and crowning of the Senior King and Queen on stage.

From 3-4:30 p.m. the Milford talent showcase will take place. Check-in for those registered is at 2:45 p.m. A variety of acts, which can include dancing, singing, comic relief and much more, will be given three minutes to perform. Winners will be chosen at the end of the contest.

Hamburgers, sausage burgers and brats will be on sale from 4-9 p.m. for dinner choices thanks to the Milford Lions.

Milford Fest will end the day’s events with Street Dance featuring Ripchord performing from 5-9 p.m.