Milton embraces small town feel on 4th of July
Families gathered at Milton Memorial Park in the heart of Downtown Milton to celebrate the Fourth of July with a good old-fashioned twist.
The Milton Picnic in the Park certainly stayed true to the slogan for the event by “Bringing Mayberry Back to Milton!,” a reference to the Andy Griffith Show.
With the help of countless volunteers and various sponsors such as Irish Eyes, Techno Goober, The Milton Lions Club, the Milton Chamber of Commerce, Hickman’s Meat Market/Butcher Block and many more, the collaborative effort resulted in endless smiles not only on the faces of the children, but adults too!
In the center of the route, there was events such as sack races for kids and adults, a ball toss, and even a dunk tank featuring Milton Police Chief Robert Longo among other special city volunteers to be dropped repeatedly into the tank.
Two friendly competitions were the center of the event, being the Bike Decorating Contest as well as the classic Pie Baking Contest. Children started a mini parade beginning behind Irish Eyes Restaurant and making their way across the bridge and through the brick trails in the park, displaying their creative and patriotic side by taking bike decorating to the next level. Patrons clapped and cheered on the children of all ages who took a lot of time to deck out their bicycles in red, white and blue. After each participant completed the judging process, they all met in front of the gazebo while live music was playing for the announcement of the winners; which included the two grand prize winners (one boy and one girl) receiving brand new bikes!
Following the announcement, the winners of the Pie Baking Contest were announced in the categories of Amateur, Professional, Kids, and even Honorable Mention which featured one and two-year-old winners Mackenzie Ward and Mason Dixon.
During a Water Balloon Battle sponsored by Techno Goober, kids patiently waited to get their hands on as many water balloons as possible as hundreds were strewn out on top of a tarp. There wasn’t much of a “safe zone” as everyone in the area was able to cool down by getting wet some way or another.
