MEC announces 2024 Milford Welcome Party

Milford Enhancement Committee (MEC) President Eileen Smith has high praise for their annual Welcome Party fundraiser. In fact, she says it’s the best party in town. “Where else can you get unlimited beer and wine, a multi-course dinner, dancing and listening to Bobby Kyle and his band, and both live and silent auctions with unique and interesting items?” she asked.

This year, the party will take place June 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 111 E. High St. The theme for this lavish party is all things Italian. There will be Italian wine (Chianti and Prosecco), Log Tavern beer, hot and cold pasta, charcuterie boards, salad, bread, and of course, gelato.

But the Welcome Party is more than just a party. Its purpose is to welcome newcomers to the Borough and its surrounding areas and to welcome back seasonal and other residents as well.

The MEC mission

MEC was founded in 1999 by Richard L. Snyder and became an independent non-profit organization in 2021. The Welcome Party is one of the primary sources of fundraising, in addition to private donations and grants. MEC’s mission is “to preserve and enhance Milford’s invaluable heritage and special nature character for the benefit of residents, local businesses, and visitors by investing in streetscapes in the commercial district and public spaces, improving the connection between Milford Borough and its natural environment, and facilitating greater volunteerism and civic engagement.” The Welcome Party is a catalyst for this.

Some of MEC’s more recent projects include: the West Harford sidewalk project, which spanned from 6th to 9th streets and included support from PennDOT; putting shutters on the old jail building at Broad Steet and West High; placing 26 trash cans in various strategic places in town that fit with the ambiance and style of the Borough; installing more benches in Ann Street Park; and placing cigarette receptacles along Broad Street.

Every year MEC sponsors an annual clean-up day, usually held in April, where anywhere from 60 to 200 volunteers show up to spruce up the Borough before summer. Smith joyfully relates an anecdote where some of this year’s volunteers were complaining because they couldn’t find a lot of trash. In years past, they would fill about 250 bags of trash on an average clean up day. This year, to Smith’s delight, they could only fill 50 bags. “It’s because of the trash cans,” she said proudly.

MEC relies heavily on volunteers, donors and grants, in addition to the fundraising they do from the Welcome Party. Some of their supporters are Milford Borough, Milford Garden Club, Milford Shade Tree Commission, Grey Towers Heritage Association, Greater Pike Community Foundation, and PennDOT.

Auction items

Milford Mayor Sean Strub, though he has resigned from his role as the MEC president for many years, will be attending the Welcome Party this year and will conduct the live auction with his inimitable auctioneer talent. There will also be a silent auction, where people just write their bets on lists next to the items. Some of the unique items to be auctioned include:

- Two Reiki sessions with teacher and practitioner Linda Lockspeiser

- Opera night with dinner by chef Doug Kosh

- An Avery large antique rustic wooden Native American bowl (1930s) used for grinding maize

- Four VIP tickets to the show “Live with Kelly and Mark” in NYC

- A guided tour on the Delaware by outdoorswoman Gail Rosalski

- Matt Winkler art

- American Mahjong experience by Nick Muscara for four, including moon cakes, baijiu, and tea tasting at a house overlooking the Vandermark

As noted, the Welcome Party will take place at 111 E. High St. The tent entrance is in the back on Peach Alley. Festivities are from 4 to 7 p.m. on June 22. Individual tickets are $75 per person. Other tickets range from $250-$2,500, depending upon the level of sponsorship. All tickets can be bought online at bit.ly/3yHFazo.

Sponsorships and more

MEC also provide sponsorship opportunities:

- $2,500 Super Sponsor includes four tickets plus extras, and listing in the program and via social media

- $1,000 Sponsor includes four tickets and a listing in the program and in the press release

- $500 Friend rate includes two tickets and a listing in the program an on the invitations

- $250 Host rate includes two tickets and a listing in program

The sponsorship sale ends June 21. To volunteer or for any questions, email MilfordEnhancementCommittee@gmail.com or call 570-832-4789 and leave a detailed message.