Rail speeders, which once carried crews out to repair tracks, will return to Milford on Sept. 26. (Photo by Linda rae Castagna)

Rail speeders, which once carried crews out to repair tracks, will return to Milford on Sept. 26. (Photo by Linda rae Castagna)

At the fourth annual Milford Alive event, visitors will be able to hear a dozen bands, watch a wacky bed race, eat alligator-on-a-stick, take a chance on a rubber duck and top off the day with fireworks.

All these opportunities and many more are offered on Saturday, Sept. 26, noon to 8:30 p.m. The action will stretch from Water Street (Route 519) down Bridge Street to the Delaware River.

Milford Merchants Association president Melissa Harrison explains, “Milford Alive is our high-energy giveback to the community for patronizing our businesses. Except for the food, it’s free; we don’t want to nickel-and-dime people.” For local people, “it’s like a reunion; you run into people you haven’t seen in years, but we are very welcoming to visitors, too.”

A dozen bands will share two outdoor stages – one near the firehouse and another near the Presbyterian Church. The bands and their genres include: Na Bodach, Celtic; The Slewfoot Project, Americana; Life Story, pop-rock metal mix; JLT All Stars. Blues, Southern rock; The World Famous Gashouse Gang, classic rock; Halo Called Fred, beyond description; The Liz Nordstrom Band, Americana/country; Roulette, party band; Rocky & His Friends, rock and country; Phido, original and classic-rock covers; and Waterfront Blue, blend of blues, jazz, jam and soul.

Biplanes from Van Sant Airport will fly over from Bucks County; River Union Stage will put on puppet shows in the back yard of the Presbyterian manse at 45 Bridge St. at 1, 2:45 and 3:45 p.m.; the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will supply jugglers and a magician; rides on little rail-speeder crew cars will be available; churches and schools will offer craft activities for kids; martial arts students will demonstrate their skills; artists, crafters and other vendors will offer their wares; and faces will be painted.

Some of the artists showing and selling their work will be potters Matthew Tell and Jessica Greet, stained-glass artist Sharon Reuss, metal artist Cody Aversa, painters Pam LaFevre and Tricia Lowrey Lippert.

Local authors, organized by Frenchtown’s Book Garden, will be signing their books near the old mill. Some of the authors are Denny Daikeler of Milford (“Messages: Flowing With Synchronicity” and “What Color Is Your Slipcover?”), Myrna Smith of Frenchtown (“God and Other Men”), Nicole LaBrocca of Jackson (“Eat Your Vegetables”), Ed York of Alexandria Township (“Researching Family Life 3,000 Years Ago on the Delaware River Floodplains of Central N.J.” and “Abigail Roberts: Revival Preacher”), Theresa Halschied of Stockton (“Frozen Latitudes” and “Uncommon Geography”), Tommy Reynolds of Clinton (“The Game”), and Felicia Sanzari Chernesky of Raritan Township (“From Apple Trees to Cider, Please” and “Pick a Circle, Gather Squares”).

The Milford Fire Department will host a pig roast and clam bake from noon to 8, and other edible offerings will include alligator-on-a-stick by Crave Cajun, kettle corn, hamburgers by the Milford Lions, crepes by Boy Scout Troop 187, Maddalena’s cheesecake-on-a-stick, fruit smoothies by the Del Val Cheer Boosters, Heather Neville’s organic hot dogs and cannolis, garlic knots by Pipolo’s Pizza, goodies by Pirate Cupcake Baking Co. and Chocolate in the Oven, ice cream and waffles by Thee Ice Cream Parlor, chili by the United Church of Christ and Maria’s homemade pierogies.

The Milford PTO will hold its second annual rubber-duck race on the Q Creek. The tentative launch time is 4:30 p.m. The ducks will be set adrift near the Ship Inn. The finish line is near the Presbyterian Church, so it’ll be over before you can say Quequacomissicong.

It costs $5 to sponsor a duck, and tickets are available at the Milford Public Library and will be available from the PTO on the afternoon of Milford Alive. All proceeds help the PTO enrich the Milford Public School experience for students and their families. The sponsor of the speediest rubber duck will win 25 percent of the total sales. Second prize is 15 percent, and third prize is 10 percent.

At 2 p.m. the Bed Race festivities begin with a parade of the racing vehicles, which have more or less of a bed-like appearance, up Bridge Street. Trophies will be awarded for funniest and most original, so humor is encouraged and amusement is anticipated.

The “beds,” each containing one rider and propelled by three pushers, will race the length of Bridge Street, one at at time against the clock. The most-coveted trophy will go to the rule-compliant racer with the best time, although all participants are expected to have a good time.

The event will include remarks by Congressman Leonard Lance and Assembly candidate Andrew Zwicker.

After the bed race, students of the Roxey Ballet’s Mill School will perform, using some of the beds as props.

Milford Alive’s grand finale will be a fireworks display at 8:15 by Garden State Fireworks.

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