Millsborough 250 Committee Meeting - May 18, 2026

The Millsborough 250 Committee met on Monday, May 18, 2026, to discuss progress on the upcoming 250th anniversary celebration scheduled for June 27, 2026. Key topics included event sponsorships, silent auction donations, parade arrangements, security and traffic control, and other attractions. The meeting was chaired by the committee chair, with members present including Honor Neo, Jamie Burke, Bob McKee, Ashley Sander, Chief David Moyer, and Nadine Timpanero (Chamber of Commerce).

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Adoption: Motion made and seconded to adopt the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
• Minutes Approval: Motion made and seconded to approve past meeting minutes. All in favor, motion passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received.

Event Sponsorships

• Chair reported that $16,000 in sponsorships have been secured in-house, with $10,000 of that from the town. An additional four sponsorships are committed but not yet received. A June 1 deadline was proposed to ensure timely payment for shirts and banners.
• The committee discussed the need to expedite invoicing to corporations and noted a meeting with one sponsor later that day at 2:30.

Donations & Silent Auction

• Silent auction donations received so far: Shore Birds tickets, Salted Vines Vineyard experience, rounds of golf at Baywood, Plantation Lakes, Rehoboth Country Club, and a seasonal Dewey parking permit.
• Further donations were requested from spas, restaurants, and other businesses. The Chamber of Commerce is coordinating, using the chamber’s 501(c)(6) status to allow tax deductions for donors.
• It was noted that Sussex Academy will display children's art in the chamber to draw people to the silent auction.

Event Attractions

• Kids Zone: Bouncy houses (three inflatables) and face painting secured at the ballpark.
• DJ and Speaking Times: DJ secured for the ballpark. Four brief speaking slots on the half-hour planned to highlight Millsboro history at the Del Tech conference center (open 5–7 PM).
• Touch a Truck: Planned in the parking lot across from the post office. Fire truck and ambulance will be included; post office contact needed for lot usage.
• Library Story Time: Library closing at 2 PM but may stay open later. Sussex Academy high school students may volunteer for community service hours to do readings.
• Parade: Scheduled for 4 PM. Entries so far: Georgia Truett (pageant), Millsboro Flower Company, Paul Voss (car show winner), 41st Representative District Committee, Tom Brett, and Ryan Stuckey. Additional entries expected by June 12 deadline.
• Golf Carts: Between 15 and 20 decorated golf carts expected. Police escort from The Landing at 3 PM to parade start. Escort back offered after parade.
• Band: Southbound of Delaware band will play on Main Street from 2–4 PM, with a stage in the PNC parking lot. School bands/choirs contacted but no confirmations yet.
• Sons of the American Revolution: Will participate in parade and have a table on Main Street.
• Health Trucks: Beebe Healthcare working on bringing mammography truck; likely located at ball field.
• Restaurants: Aware and preparing for the event.
• Art Contest: Proposed categories: kindergarten–first grade, second–fifth grade, middle school, and high school. Prize: $250 scholarship per winner (total $1,000), funded from sponsorships. Committee agreed.

Parade Lineup and Logistics

• Parade lineup will begin at the middle school. Committee discussed lot usage, staging, and potential changes to staging location (municipal lot near fire hall) to reduce road closures. Final decision deferred pending more entries.
• MC for parade: Jamie Burke to check with Dan Gaffney; alternatively, the band singer could announce floats.

Security and Traffic Control

• Chief Moyer presented the operations plan. Two shifts: daytime (Lieutenant Rogers) and nighttime (Lieutenant Zabrowski). A command post will be set up in the police department admin wing, separate from the mobile command post.
• Road closures: Main Street closed from 12–6 PM. State Street, Railroad Street, and Wilson Highway to be temporarily closed for parade. Detailed discussions on managing side streets (Morris, Marsh, etc.) to minimize disruption while ensuring safety.
• Vehicle barriers (public works trucks) placed at key intersections (Church & Main, State & Main, Nectar alley). Parade staging at middle school; access for school buses to be managed.
• Canine sweeps will be conducted prior to event. Geofence requested from EOC for emergency notifications to attendees.
• Parking: Handicap parking near the ball field main entrance; additional parking at Del Tech lot (across street) available. Shuttle buses will run a continuous loop from North Shores, The Landing, Plantation Lakes, First State Orthopedic, Villages of Millwood, and Bowling Alley, starting at 5 PM (expected 15-minute loop, with up to three buses).
• Fire police will assist with traffic control; letter of request needed from fire chief.
• EMS operations at ballpark to begin at 5 PM.

Theater and Beautification

• The theater owner will open the doors for people to view the space. The front white canvas area will be painted with a patriotic mural (proposed artwork shown). Mural will be temporary and removable. Cost estimate for preparation (priming) is $600 per day; total around $1,200 for two days.
• The Del Dot bridge softwash cost is $2,000. Suburban Propane and Lenar are potential sponsors for beautification. Alternative: attach panels to bridge walls if painting does not hold.

Grant Status

• A grant submitted to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is under review. Eligible costs include police overtime (50% match) and possibly library fees. Fireworks, bounce houses, and scholarships are not eligible. Estimated grant amount around $9,000.

Upcoming Events

• Nanacoke Event: May 30, 2026, at Town Hall, 11 AM–1 PM, as part of America 250 celebration. Presentation by Bonnie Hall on history, followed by tribal dance and hands-on artifacts.
• Advertising efforts include farmers market appearances, editorial in State News, radio segments, and electronic sign.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and minutes approved unanimously.
• Sponsor deadline set for June 1, 2026. Parade entry deadline June 12, 2026.
• Operations plan to be finalized by June 5, 2026.
• Art contest scholarships approved ($250 each, four categories).
• Committee agreed to follow fire police recommendations on road closures; final decision on closing State Street all day deferred pending further discussion.
• Chief Moyer will update operations plan with changes and circulate.
• Motion to adjourn made, seconded, and passed.

Next meeting scheduled for June 11, 2026, with same agenda.