Delaware State News

MILFORD — On Saturday, Milford will celebrate the ninth annual Bug & Bud Festival in downtown Milford.

The festival commemorates Milford’s tie with the state bug, the ladybug, and also its Tree City USA status.

The day starts with a costumed parade at 9:45 a.m.

The parade line up starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Calvary United Methodist Church parking lot, and at the start will make its way along the Riverwalk toward Downtown Milford and the entertainment stage.

Once the festival officially opens, festival-goers can enjoy kids games, free entertainment, paddle boat rides and some friendly competition throughout the day.

Both Walnut and Washington streets through the downtown district will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday to accommodate vendors and pedestrians.

Last year, an estimated 8,000 people visited Bug & Bud, a festival that has been recogized by Travelocity for its local appeal.

In addition to the festival itself, there are other attractions downtown.

Merchants will offer specials, and the Friends of the Milford Public Library hosts a jewelry and accessories sale.

The Mispillion Art League Gallery and Anne Jenkins’ Art Gallery will be open for visitors, as will the Milford Museum.

In fact, the museum offers a special ladybug exhibit that showcases memorabilia from 1974 when a local second grade class successfully lobbied the state legislature for the ladybug designation.

On April 25, 1974, 19 second-grade students from Lulu Ross Elementary School made Delaware history.

After reading in their “Weekly Reader” about state bugs from other states, they decided that Delaware should have a state bug. The class voted for the ladybug.

After months of hard work and campaigning, the students and their teacher, Mrs. Mollie Brown-Rust successfully persuaded the state legislature to have the ladybug named as the state bug.

Their efforts inspired Dan and Rhonda Bond to open the Ladybug Shop, a boutique in downtown Milford.

Second Street Players are staging “The Wizard of Oz” at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults: $10 for children age 12 and under.