Bug & Bud Festival set in Milford April 28

One of Delaware's most popular festivals, the 15th Annual Bug & Bud Festival, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 28 along Walnut Street and the Mispillion Riverwalk in historic downtown Milford.

Hosted by Downtown Milford Inc. and the City of Milford Parks and Recreation Department, this year's festival has a lot to offer.

There will be the ladybug and tree costume parade for adults, children and pets; more than 100 arts and crafts vendors; diverse local entertainment all day; food vendors; Get in the Zone games and activities for the young at heart; a children's art show; and green-themed, hands-on activities including seedling tree giveaways, a chalk art contest, paddleboat rides and a pizza-eating contest.

The parade of little trees and ladybugs, closely followed by costumed pets, will start approximately at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 S.E. Front St., and wind through town. Prize winners will be announced at the library amphitheater after the parade. Grand marshals are Marilyn Ambrose, and Dan and Rhonda Bond.

Downtown Milford's Bug and Bud Festival started in 2004 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ladybug being named Delaware's state bug.

After reading an article about state trees, flowers and bugs, Lulu Ross Elementary School second-graders asked their teacher Molly Brown Rust if Delaware had a state bug. The answer was no. Thus began a year-long effort by the class, culminating April 25, 1974, with the state Legislature's vote to designate the ladybug as the state bug, by virtue of its agricultural usefulness and the outstanding class presentations to the Legislature.

This is a rain-or-shine event with music, food and paddleboat rides. For more information, go to www.downtownmilford.org or visit the event page on Facebook.