A new festival is coming to Milton in September that promises to be a doggone good time.

Dog Days of Summer Festival will celebrate man’s best friend with music, food and community activities at Inn The Doghouse at 428 Chestnut St. 

The event was the brainchild of Inn The Doghouse owners Annette Babich and Mal Meehan, who recently adopted two dachshund mixes, Taffy and Belle, from Doggone Happy Animal Rescue in Harrington. 

“Through the process, we have learned the importance of animal rescue and wanted to use the Dog Days of Summer Festival as a forum to raise awareness and celebrate our lovable dogs,” Babich said. 

“It’s a festival for people interested in dogs,” Meehan added. 

The festival will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, in the backyard of Inn The Doghouse. Tickets are $30 and are available through the festival website. Only 500 tickets are available.

Babich said there will be food trucks, breweries, wineries and vendors. They are still accepting applications for vendors for both human and dog products, as well as volunteers and sponsors, which can be submitted through the festival website. 

Meehan said they are planning for 30-plus vendors. Babich said Doggone Happy Animal Rescue will have 10 to 20 dogs available for adoption. 

“We are creating an event that is above and beyond, and will deliver to our attendees an exciting, fun and wonderful experience with music, food and artisan crafts/products. And hopefully you rescue a dog in the process,” Babich said.

In addition to Doggone Happy Animal Rescue, she said the event will also benefit Milton Community Food Pantry and Milton Historical Society. A dropoff for items for the food pantry will be in front of the house. Those attending the festival will not be allowed to go in the house, and the event will be rain or shine. 

Musical artists for the festival are still being confirmed, but Babich said country artist JC Anderson, who has previously played the Dewey Beach Music Conference, will be one of the performers. 

During the festival, Sand Street, which runs adjacent to the house, will be closed. Babich said people can park at Dogfish Head Brewery across the street; the brewery will be closed that day for a private event. While dogs will be up for adoption at the festival, Babich said dogs should not be brought to the festival. 

Babich moved to Milton from Brooklyn, N.Y., and she wanted the experience to be similar to Smorgasburg, the open-air food market that originated in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

“We have met so many nice people here. We love this town and want to do our part to support local initiatives,” she said. 

For more information on tickets or to be a vendor, volunteer or sponsor, go to www.dogdaysofsummerfestival.com. Those wishing to be vendors or sponsors can also contact Annette Babich at 302-470-9892 or at annette@dogdaysofsummerfestival.com.