Millsboro 250 Committee Meeting – February 11, 2026

The Millsboro 250 Committee met on February 11, 2026, to continue planning the town's 250th anniversary celebration, which will be combined with the annual Stars and Stripes event. The meeting focused on sponsorship, budget, logistics, scheduling, and vendor placement for the upcoming event on June 27, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was adopted by motion, second, and unanimous vote.
• Meeting minutes from January 7, 2025 were approved by motion, second, and unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• Event Sponsorship & Budget: The committee discussed the need to secure sponsors for the event. Past sponsorship engagement was low, and the group agreed that requests from the town would carry more weight than from the chamber. Sponsorship levels need to be defined and tied to specific items (e.g., fireworks, kids' zone). The town is applying for a matching grant of $25,000, which requires the town to front the money and be reimbursed by the chamber from sponsor proceeds. Fireworks costs have risen 25% and are expected to be ~$30,000; total event expenses last year were $35,000. Police overtime and public works costs are not in the current budget and must be addressed.
• Event Footprint & Logistics: Considerable debate occurred on whether to hold activities downtown, at the ball field, or both. Options included closing Main Street, Railroad Avenue, or Washington Street. The police raised concerns about crowd safety and traffic. The committee leaned toward a more condensed footprint to reduce police and cleanup costs.
• Schedule & Timing: The original plan of 10 a.m.–6 p.m. was reworked. The group favored a later start: downtown activities from 2–5 p.m., a parade at 4 p.m., then migration to the ball field from 5 p.m. through evening fireworks. This reduces the overall time windows and helps manage heat and family attention spans.
• Vendors & Activities: It was debated whether to place vendors on Main Street or only at the ball field. Some members argued that vendors on Main Street would compete with existing businesses, while others noted the need for food and drink. A compromise was suggested: downtown activities without food vendors (encouraging patronage of local restaurants) and food trucks/vendors at the ball field. Kids' activities (inflatables, face painting, petting zoo) would be at the ball field.
• Parking & Shuttle: Parking lots at the middle school, municipal lot, and possibly the Brazilian Steakhouse lot were discussed. Shuttle buses would run from designated lots to the ball field to alleviate congestion. The police station parking lot was considered as a shuttle hub, but concerns about traffic after fireworks were raised.
• Rain Date: The group agreed to set a rain date for the following day (June 28), but noted that the street closure permit must allow for it. Vendors and performers would be informed in advance.
• Fundraising Ideas: Additional revenue ideas included selling bricks for a commemorative walkway, a children's art contest, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and reserved seating at the ball field.

Key Outcomes

• Decision: The event will be held June 27, 2026, with a condensed schedule: downtown activities 2–5 p.m., parade at 4 p.m., ball field activities from 5 p.m. through fireworks (approx. 9 p.m.). Street closure is proposed from noon to 6 p.m., pending DelDOT approval.
• Action Items:
  • Jimmy will contact DelDOT to request closing Washington Street for a short period during the event.
  • Obtain cost quotes for fireworks, shuttle buses, sound/stage, port‑a‑johns, tents, and tables.
  • Create a sponsor list and divide assignments among committee members using a shared spreadsheet.
  • Prepare a save‑the‑date announcement for the community.
  • Invite local restaurant owners to the next meeting to discuss grab‑and‑go options and participation.
• Next Meeting: Not specified; members will gather quotes and updates before the next planning session.