Whatever Happened to the Fall Festival?

"I was just wondering if you knew if Milford was ever going to have the Fall Festival ever again? If not, then why not?"

One of our readers posed these questions to us on Facebook this week. (Do you like our page on Facebook? You should.)

Here's what we found. 

According to Sue Clark, director of the Milford Community Development Office, the Fall Festival was a one-day event downtown. Sponsored by members of the business community, it involved shutting down Main Street, hosting vendors and activities and having merchants set up in front of their stores.

From what we've heard, the event was generally successful and supported by most merchants. Those who weren't fond of the Fall Festival argued that it interrupted their normal business.

"We stopped having them for lack of interest/funds," Clark said, noting the last festival was held in 2007. "It was very expensive to put these together and financial support became very difficult. The festivals were lots of fun and well-attended but without the financial support, impossible to continue."

Clark said she has not heard from anyone who wants to take over the event or have another one. Selectmen Chairman Brian Murray noted that the event was not sponsored or funded by the town, "though (we) did assist the merchants in any way possible."