Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and continuing restrictions on events in Bicentennial Park, the annual Milford Night Out event could not be scheduled for this year. In an effort to continue support first responders, Fur Baby Pet Resort is sponsoring a “Support First Responders Night and Touch a Truck” event on Tuesday, August 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will be held in the parking lot of Fur Baby, located at 301 Northeast Front Street.
“I contacted Milford Police Department about National Night Out and learned that there was not time to plan the event once the state of emergency was lifted,” Representative Bryan Shupe, co-owner of Fur Baby Pet Resort, said. “I learned from Sergeant Robbie Masten that they felt it was not a good idea to have hundreds of people in a public space. I proposed that we move the event to our private property and keep it small so that we could still recognize our first responders and provide some entertainment for families. I just felt with everything that has happened over the past few years, we really need to reach out and support each other.”
The event will have Carlisle Fire Company on site with their new ladder truck as well as their antique fire engine. The company will also be providing fire safety education. Milford Police Department will be there with a police vehicle while the City of Milford is providing a city truck, garbage truck and snowplow. The Delaware State Police and Ellendale Volunteer Fire Company are also participating. There will be search and rescue dogs at the event as well along with a school bus provided by Milford School District.
“To help serve our district community, we have partnered with the First Responders Touch a Truck event to “Stuff the Bus,” Trish Gerken, Public Information Officer for Milford School District said. “A Milford School District bus will be available for families to touch and explore. Visitors will be able to drop off needed school supplies for our district’s families. We thank the Milford community for hosting and allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful community event and for their continued support of our students.”
Gerken explained that they will be collecting supplies like markers, pencils, bookbags, dry erase markers and more. The complete supply list can be found on the district website.
The Bridge 88.7 will be providing entertainment at the event. They are also asking people who attend to stop and write encouraging words on a Post-It note for law enforcement. Each note will then be placed on a Milford Police vehicle. At the end of the night, the notes will be gathered and delivered to the police station for them to display and distribute.
“We’re excited to be participating in the Touch a Truck event at Fur Baby on the 10th,” Sergeant Masten said. “With COVID restrictions easing, we’re eager to get back out to these types of evens and strengthen our connection with the community. Events like this also allow our community, especially children, explore a wide variety of vehicles and ask questions about what they see.”
In addition to the trucks and other vehicles available for families to explore, Smashburger, Ennis Barbecue, Vanderwende Ice Cream, Frozen Farmer as well as Cup & Cone food trucks will be selling at the event. Admission is free, but Fur Baby is asking those attending to park in the Riverwalk Shopping Center and walk over as the parking lot will be closed off for safety.