Movie Magic theme of Milford Community Parade

A float in the Milford Community Parade from previous years (Photo courtesy of Jim Purcell)

One of the most anticipated events in Milford is set to “step off” on October 16, 2024 at 6:30 PM. The Milford Community Parade has been a popular downtown event for almost 40 years. This year’s theme is “Movie Magic.”

According to Charles Gray, whose family has been instrumental in getting the parade organized each year, there will be costumed individuals and families strolling down Walnut Street along with floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles and more.

”This year, the parade will travel its regular route, but it will line up at Seabury Avenue and Walnut Street as the Milford Middle School is under construction,” Gray said. “It will head down South Walnut to Norht Walnut, turn right at North walnut and East 10 ^th Street, left into the Milford High School grounds where it will end.”

Chairs will begin lining the sidewalks the morning of the 16 ^th and people stake out their favorite viewing spots. Many of the residents along the parade route celebrate the event with potluck dinners, bringing friends and family from all over to enjoy the festivities.

“Reviewing areas are located throughout town and each has an announcer, restrooms and a food vendor,” Gray said. “City Hall, sponsored by the Parker Group, has Bub’s Grubs and Milford Pop Warner. The Church of God, sponsored by Sunbelt Rentals, has food by the church. At 909 North Walnut, the former Gooden’s Flower location, which is sponsored by Meineke of Milford will have Holy Smokes BBQ. Our announcers to date are Gary John and Norm Short.”

The parade was started by Mayor Evans in 1938 or 1939. In 1985, Mayor Joseph “Ronnie” Rogers asked Jim Gray, who owned a barbershop downtown, was a past state president of the Delaware Jaycees and a Little League coach, to lead a new parade committee. Over the years, the Gray family has become heavily involved in the parade.

“As normal for Dad’s, their kids look to them for leadership and so the entire family got involved,” Gray said. “My dad, my sister, Carmen Kemper and I have all been chairpersons of the committee at some point over the past 30 years. We also have extended family and friends from Dover, Harrington, Milford, Houston, Lincoln and Magnolia who have also served.”

This is the first year the parade will take place without Marie Jo Gray, wife of Jim Gray, who passed away earlier in the year. She served as treasurer for almost the entire 40 years the parade has been in existence.

The annual parade brings more than 10,000 visitors to downtown Milford and, in past years, Milford Police Department has reported as many as 30,000 sitting along downtown streets watching as the parade goes by.