Millerton’s 175th celebration overcomes weather challenges

MILLERTON — The community wrapped up its week-long 175th anniversary fair Sunday, July 19, with sunny skies and a sizable turnout after rain threatened to put a damper on the whole weekend.

Rainy weather on Saturday, July 18, led to reduced attendance, but didn’t kill volunteers’ spirits. Lisa Hermann, who led the planning efforts for the week-long celebration, said the poor weather was unfortunate but plans continued on with slight modifications.

“Overall, I think we did get pretty lucky,” Hermann said. “We never had to shut down at any point.”

Organizers also contended with smoke from Canadian wildfires, which blanketed the area Wednesday afternoon, July 15. The smoke prompted the planned yard party at the Millerton Inn on Main Street to be postponed by a day, but Hermann said it was the only event significantly affected by air quality concerns.

The rain on Saturday forced some attractions, including face painting and musical performances, under the pavilion at Eddie Collins Memorial Park to protect equipment and keep visitors dry.

Despite the rain Saturday, the parking lot at Eddie Collins Memorial Park filled once again on Sunday afternoon as families and community members enjoyed a petting zoo, inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses, food and drink from local bars, breweries and restaurants, and live music on the lawn all afternoon.

Last weekend’s fair — the culmination of a week-long celebration that began with a parade and groundbreaking for the planned new pool a week prior — kicked off Friday afternoon, July 17, with community organizations and vendors setting up shop in the park.

Attendees trickled in during the afternoon before swelling in numbers Friday evening as a drone light show began at 9:30 p.m.

Hermann cited excitement for the village’s future as a highlight of the week’s events. Attendees to the park for the drone show admired the painted outline of the planned pool and cheered when the lighted drones depicted a cheerful child jumping into a pool from a shaking diving board.

The drone light show traced significant moments in Millerton’s history while also highlighting future projects. Hermann said her biggest takeaway was seeing attendees celebrate the village’s past while embracing what comes next.

“There were some aspects of the celebration that also had to do with the pool and the next steps for Millerton,” Hermann said. “Seeing people get really excited about that — like the painting on the grass that 3M did — I think it was really great.”

Hermann expressed gratitude for the volunteers and village officials who helped organize the week-long celebration. She credited the community members who served on the Millerton 175th Committee with staying committed to the project over the past two years.

She also thanked Village Hall employees and members of the highway department for their assistance with the fair, the week’s events and preparations leading up to the celebration.

“There are so many people in the community that stepped up to make this possible,” Hermann said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

Photo by Nathan Miller

Millerton native Ronnie Reed headlines a comedy show at Eddie Collins Memorial Park on Thursday, July 16.