Milton Council approves extended Bargains on the Broadkill

Milton Town Council unanimously approved a request by Milton Chamber of Commerce to use part of Magnolia Street for the annual Bargains on the Broadkill.

The chamber plans to use the portion of Magnolia Street between the entrances to the parking lot, thus allowing for use of the lot during the event. The bulk of the event will take place in Memorial Park, as usual. 

To stop the spread of COVID-19, several of Milton’s favorite spring and summer events were canceled: the Horseshoe Crab Festival, Bring Mayberry Back to Milton, Milton Garden Tour and summer concerts in the park. 

In response, the chamber’s directors, Anne Brown and Kathy Clark, believed it would be beneficial to the community to expand Bargains on the Broadkill, held Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23, into a larger event in order to have more activities and still abide by social distancing guidelines, as well as the ability to expand to areas beyond the park and gazebo. Bargains on the Broadkill allows local merchants to set up and sell their wares in the park, along with other events such as a kayak race, rubber duck race and kids’ activities. 

Brown and Clark said the chamber would comply with whatever social distancing measures are in place at the time of the event, and signage will be posted throughout.

“Bargains on the Broadkill is a fantastic event, with so much happening in the town of Milton. As in years past, there will be the Great Duck Race, and Irish Eyes will host the Annual Broadkill River Canoe and Kayak Race, in honor of William Hahn,” they said in a joint statement. “After months of closures and isolation, we believe it is important for everyone to have the opportunity to come together for some shopping, eating, and family-oriented fun throughout the weekend, here in downtown Milton.”