Mildford Welcomes Santa, Holiday Shopper 12/3

WHAT: Santa Claus is coming to town during Milford’s annual Christmas Open House. A community favorite, the seasonal event brings strolling entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday caroling, special promotions and deals at downtown stores and restaurants as well as a highly anticipated visit from Santa Claus in Center Street Mall. The evening begins at 6 p.m. when the jolly old man arrives on Main Street aboard a Milford Fire Department fire engine.

VISUALS:Christmas Open House will include a variety of great photo opportunities, including:

• Santa arriving on Main Street aboard a Milford Fire Engine.
• Children and families visiting with Santa in Center Street Mall.
• Strolling performances by troubadours and choirs.
• Visitors enjoying horse-drawn carriage rides.
• Guests previewing and shopping the season’s best gift selection.
• A look at new businesses: pop-up shop Uptown Collection, florist Blossoms on Main and home goods store Milford Mills.
• Surprised diners receiving randomly-selected paid for meals as part of the Dinner’s On Us program.

WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

Santa Claus arrives at 6 p.m.

WHERE:  Main Street between the lights

From Liberty Street to Commerce Road

Milford, Michigan

SANTA: Santa Claus will begin his tenure inside the Village Center Mall on Thursday, Dec. 3, and continue every Thursday and Saturday through Christmas Eve. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

RETAIL: Christmas Open House serves as the perfect opportunity to score fabulous holiday deals. Shoppers will find an array of the finest holiday décor, locally-made gifts, coveted women’s apparel and accessories and children’s toys. In addition to great deals and finds, many of the downtown businesses will offer refreshments and snacks for patrons. For a complete list of Milford’s businesses, visit www.meetmeinmilford.com.

New this year, guests can visit Milford’s first pop-up shop Uptown Collection, located on the corner of West Commerce Road and Main Street, featuring a variety of home and garden goods as well as Milford-inspired gifts,  and  Blossoms on Main, a new florist located at Liberty and Main streets. Visitors are also invited to check out the newest addition to Milford’s Southside shopping scene, Milford Mills – a boutique featuring one-of-a-kind home décor and furniture with fashionable rustic flair.

DINING: Throughout the evening, guests can enjoy a meal at any of Milford’s popular eateries with a chance to randomly receive a complimentary meal paid for by the Dinner’s On Us program. Nov. 19 through Dec. 24, a neighborly group of downtown businesses and community members will drop into Main Street restaurants from 5:30-9 p.m. every Thursday to pick up the tabs of nearly 90 tables throughout the season.  The program serves to spread holiday cheer and thank visitors for supporting the downtown shopping and dining district.

PARKING: Convenient parking is located on Main Street and in three parking lots, located off of Main Street on the east and west sides of the street. Effective Thursday, Nov. 5, visitors may also use Parkmobile mobile application to streamline payment for the existing parking meters along Main Street, as well as the new parking lot on the corner of Main Street and West Commerce Road (the former gas station site).

SPONSORS:  Christmas Open House is made possible by the Milford Business Association and the Milford Downtown Development Authority.

*Image courtesy of Milford