Downtown Milford, Pa., was filled with music, visitors and community activity on Saturday, Sept. 12, as Septemberfest brought residents, local businesses, musicians and tourists together for a day of performances, food, shopping and fall festivities.

Hosted by Milford Presents, the free event took place along Broad Street, Catharine Street and at venues throughout downtown.

A reason to come into town

Lisa Stefaniak, office manager at Weichert Realtors–Ruffino Real Estate, said her office participates in community events because they give people a reason to come downtown and enjoy themselves.

“It makes the community better. It brings people together. It gives them a reason to come into town and see their friends and do something fun,” Stefaniak said.

Weichert also brought music to the event. Realtor Edie Duncan performed violin with her colleague Dan Verbeke. For Duncan, who was participating in Septemberfest for the first time, the event was an opportunity to share a personal passion with the community.

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“It’s always fun to play or share your passions with the community,” Duncan said.

She said Milford’s many fall festivals are part of what gives the town its charm.

“Everybody knows that throughout the fall there’s just festivals every weekend in Milford, and that’s what gives it its charm,” Duncan said. “It keeps people coming. Tourists coming. It’s great for tourism.”

Music across downtown

Music was a major part of Septemberfest, with performers appearing at different locations throughout the downtown area.

Milford-based professional musician Leo Berthiaume, who performs as Leo B, described the event as an end-of-season celebration following the town’s June Music Fest.

“There’s a lot of music all over the place, and arts and crafts, and it’s a gorgeous day,” Berthiaume said.

A solo performer, Berthiaume described his musical style as a “living jukebox,” combining blues, folk, pop, familiar radio songs and some original material.

“I do music that you have probably heard throughout your lifestyle,” he said. “Very eclectic mix of tunes.”

Berthiaume performs with acoustic guitar, harmonica, backing tracks and a vocal harmonizer. He said one of the things he enjoys most about performing in the community is the interaction with listeners.

“I love the fact that the interaction between the people, if they’re enjoying it, makes me work stronger and harder to get them to enjoy it even more,” he said.

He sometimes takes requests, talks with listeners and shares background about songs and their artists.

Marianne Santilli and her husband, Roy, share a happy moment together while enjoying the music, community spirit, and festive atmosphere at Septemberfest. (Image: Sarah Shao / Vision Times)

Residents enjoy the festival

For Milford residents Marianne Santilli and her husband, Roy, Septemberfest is one of many community events they attend throughout the year.

“We’re residents of Milford, and we try to support and come out to all the community events, and they’re great,” Santilli said.

She said the music helps attract people of different ages and backgrounds.

“It brings a lot of people of a lot of different ages and backgrounds together because the music is great,” she said. “There’s a lot of talented people in this area.”

Suzanne, who attended with her friend Babette, said they return to Septemberfest every year.

“The beautiful day. And we never miss anything that goes on in town,” she said.

She especially enjoyed “the people and the music and the weather,” and said events like Septemberfest benefit both residents and visitors.

“It brings the community together and things for us to do who live here, and also brings tourists in the town that enjoy it,” she said.

Supporting local businesses and causes

Local vendors also joined the festival, giving them an opportunity to meet residents and introduce visitors to their businesses.

Bob, a bartender with Hopping Eagle Brewing Company in Hawley, brought four craft beers to the event, including a blonde ale, a German Helles lager, a New England IPA and a mango jalapeño pale ale.

“It gives us an opportunity to get our name out there, meet the locals, kind of tell them where we’re at, what we provide, and it’s just a great way for us to meet people,” Bob said.

For Shanna Kenny, a Milford resident, participating in Septemberfest also had a personal purpose. She was raising money with and for her niece, Marissa Kenney, who is running the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1 to support pancreatic cancer research. Each runner with the foundation is required to raise $6,000.

Kenny said Septemberfest is one of the events that helps bring Milford together.

“September Fest is one of the couple things that happen here in the community. It’s so fun. Community really comes together,” she said. “All the businesses, the people come out, and it’s a good way to support local businesses, support each other, charities like this.”

She hoped visitors would leave with a greater appreciation for the town.

“I think just to see how beautiful our town is and how much it has to offer with the variety of shops and food,” Kenny said. “It’s such a cute town. I love living here.”

Original article