Downtown Milford is celebrating 150 years on a high note with events and activities sure to spread holiday cheer! This year’s holiday season in Milford kicked off with their annual Big Reveal downtown.
The Big Reveal is one of the most magical downtown events year after year. Nearly 40 businesses along Main Street, between Library Street and Commerce Road, set up festive holiday window displays they gift wrap for awaiting eager children to unwrap after the countdown for the Big Reveal!
“The Big Reveal is when all of the businesses in town decorate their windows for their holiday display. It goes from now until after the holidays,” explains Gina Salaski, owners of Gina’s Bridal Boutique. “We tend to do a pretty elaborate display, we like to do a winter theme, and feel good theme, something that’s obviously very sparkly, that what we’re known for here (Gina’s Bridal Boutique). It’s a fun event for the kids to come and unwrap the windows and kick off the holiday season in town.”
Did you miss this year’s Big Reveal? Don’t worry, we have a video recap for you to enjoy and plan your trip for next year:
The Big Reveal is the only the first in a series of holiday events to enjoy with your family and friends this season in Milford.
“The Big Reveal is just a fun event we do in downtown Milford to kick off the holiday season,” shared Kathy Magaluck, owner of Acorn Farm. “All of us store owners plan special window displays for the season, we get them done and then the windows get paper up. On the night of the big reveal children line up and down the streets and when the countdown/announcement comes, they tear off the paper and that begins the start of the Christmas season in downtown Milford. It’s just a fun magical evening that night.
Additional Holiday Events in Downtown Milford Include:
Dinner’s On Us
Thursday, Nov. 21 – Thursday, Dec. 19
Milford business owners and community partners may be picking up your check this holiday season! To show their appreciation for patrons in downtown Milford, groups will be covering tabs for random diners through the Dinner’s On Us program. Keep an eye out as they visit downtown restaurants every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., from Nov. 21 through Dec. 19, excluding Thanksgiving. The Milford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) supports this program with the help of donations received primarily from local businesses.
Kathy Magaluck, Owner at Acorn Farm shares that, “(on) thursday nights, if you’re visiting Milford and having dinner someplace in town, you just might have your dinner picked up and paid for by some of us merchants that help put that together just as a way to say thank you for being supporting of shopping in Milford during the holiday season.”
Give Back Friday
Friday, Nov. 29
The Friday after Thanksgiving, downtown Milford merchants will participate in the fourth annual Give Back Friday event that puts a feel-good twist on Black Friday. Genise Horsley, Owner/Buyer of The Clothing Cove, explains that this in not your traditional Black Friday, “Yes, a lot of the stores will open early, Clothing Cove will open early. A lot of the stores will have specials and deals, especially for those first few hours, but a portion of all the proceeds go back to help local charities. Each merchant chooses a different charity. So come downtown on that traditional Black Friday and experience Milford’s give back Friday. We want people to know the heart of Milford.”
Gobbler Gallop
Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8:00 a.m.
The 10th Annual Gobbler Gallop features a 1 Mile Fun Run at 8:00 a.m. and a 4 Mile Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. The 4 mile course will wind out through downtown Milford, onto the Milford Trail and finish back on Main Street. The race starts and finishes on Main Street at the corner of Commerce road in downtown Milford as spectators line the street for the Annual Christmas Parade at 10 a.m.
Christmas Parade
Saturday, Nov. 30 at 10:00 a.m.
Milford’s Annual Christmas Parade down Main Street is sponsored by the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce and features dozens of floats, bands and-of course-Santa Claus!
Milford Farmers’ Market 4th Annual Holiday Pop-up
Saturday, Nov. 30
After the parade, head to the Milford Farmer’s Market 4th Annual Holiday Pop-up on Liberty Street from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Pop-up will include holiday trimmings to deck the halls with Christmas trees, holiday greens, and wreaths. Shoppers can also find unique presents, stocking stuffers, and hostess gifts from vendors selling candles, soaps, cookies, bread, jams, spices, maple syrup, and more! Then warm up with Hot Cider, or snack on some soup and warm German Pretzels from River’s Edge Brewing Co.
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, Nov. 30
In celebration of Small Business Saturday, Milford’s Downtown Development Authority encourages you to #ShopSmall this holiday season. Support the local businesses and one-of-a-kind, “mom and pop shops” in Downtown Milford to find unique, quality products for everyone on your list.
Genise Horsley, Owner/Buyer of the Clothing Cove, explains that when you shop small and support local in Downtown Milford, that shoppers are getting that total experience. “When you come in you’re greeted, you’ve got a warm place where we touch base with you. You are important to us. You are what brings us here. And hopefully we are what brings you here.”
Don’t forget to submit your November 30th receipts for a chance to win $5,000 through Oakland County’s #ShopTextWinContest. Text ‘ShopTextWin’ to 41411 for a link to the entry form. Learn more at Oakgov.com/ShopSmall.
Christmas Open House
Thursday, Dec. 5
Milford’s Annual Christmas Open House kicks off with a Christmas tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. in the middle of Main Street at the Center Street Park. Keep an eye on Main Street afterwards as Santa himself will arrive on a Milford Fire Department engine at 6 p.m. Throughout the night, the event will feature strolling musical entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, special deals at downtown restaurants and more. During the event, donations of canned or dry foods will be accepted at the Center Street Park benefiting the Community Sharing Outreach Center.
Visits with Santa
Saturday Nov. 30 – Saturday, Dec. 21
He’s making his list and checking it twice! Santa will be at the Village Center Mall, 400 N. Main, behind the Village Toy Shoppe from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday from November 30th until December 21st as well as from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, December 5th during Milford’s Christmas Open House, Thursday, December 12th and Thursday, December 19th. Be sure to bring your own camera as a professional photographer will not be provided.
#MeetMeInMilford Social Media Check-in Contest
Nov. 18 to Dec. 6
From November 18th through December 6th, downtown visitors are also encouraged to check-in at “Downtown Milford” Facebook Page using the hashtag #MeetMeInMilford for a chance to win a $300 gift card to a downtown merchant or restaurant of their choice. Rules and details will be shared to their Facebook page.
Gina Salaski, Owner of Gina’s Bridal Boutique, shares that, “shopping small is really important because it’s the small businesses supporting this community. This is where our community starts. That’s what makes our community strong is the support of the businesses and restaurants, and without which we wouldn’t be thriving the way we are.”
“Milford has a lot of events,” exclaimed Genise Horsley, The Clothing Cove Owner/Buyer. “If you don’t know the town of Milford, you need to come!”
For more information about downtown Milford’s holiday festivities and charitable efforts, visit www.meetmeinmilford.com. You can also visit their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all upcoming Milford events.
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