If you’re looking for an excuse to show off your rose-colored glasses, bell bottoms and tie dye shirts, Milford’s Hippiefest is a good place to start on Saturday.
Guests must be age 18 or older and proceeds will benefit operating expenses for the museum.
Tunes will be spun by DJ Dana McDonald, along with live music by Lincoln City, a band that’s played the event each year, serving up covers from iconic groups of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Gathering of ‘aging hippies’
Hippie Becky Sharp, of Milford, has attended the festival each year since it started in 2019. (The event was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.)
Sharp said this young festival in her backyard rekindled the spirit of the inaugural Woodstock in 1969.
Hippiefest hasn’t disappointed her once.
The third Hippiefest, presented by Milford Museum, is expected to bring about 400 to 450 flower children to the historic Causey Mansion Bed & Breakfast, a 1763 Greek revival, Georgian-style home, according to its website.
“The grounds of the Causey Mansion are beautiful and the band does a great job with music from the era,” she said. “It was great fun to see everyone getting into the spirit, wearing tie dye and flowers in their hair. Many of us looked like aging hippies.”
Angel Spishock, of Greenwood, attended the first Hippiefest, but missed it last year. Her experience has been similar to Sharp’s.
“I am excited to attend as it is a relaxing evening with great music. I personally love the venue, which adds to the festival,” Spishock said of the yellow mansion that boasts lush manicured shrubbery, a fountain and lots of shade.
The Lincoln City band features Kirby Fitzgerald (guitar), Brian David (vocals), Dan Roberts (bass), Tom Reynolds (drums). The group is named after the city that cousins David and Fitzgerald’s grandparents lived in.
Although Lincoln City has original music on Spotify, Fitzgerald digs time-traveling to Hippiefest with their old school catalog of hits to cover.
“We love playing the music from the ‘60s and ‘70s because it makes people feel soulful, happy and alive,” the Dover guitarist said.
“We are playing music from The Beatles, The Who, Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones, just to name a few. ‘Born to be Wild’ by Steppenwolf and ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ by The Who always go over great at Hippiefest.”
Music fest for Milford Museum
Nicole Rogers, operations manager for Milford Museum, said Hippiefest started in 2019 as a way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the epic Woodstock festival, held during this time of year in 1969.
Over the years, Hippiefest has attracted between 200 to 350 people, but this year they’ve upped capacity to around 450. The festival draws revelers from the Delmarva region and Pennsylvania.
Most of the flower children are middle-aged, but don’t be surprised if you see a few younger daisies pop up Saturday.
All of this love, peace and fun is in the name of supporting the Milford Museum, which is a time capsule for the local community. It was established in 1983, per its website.
“It’s a community museum. It’s about the community of Milford, the history of Milford and its surrounding areas,” Rogers explained.
That’s part of the reason why Hippiefest lover Sparks has continued coming back to this event.
“What’s not to like [about] good music, a chance to wear tie dye, a beautiful setting and the chance to help out a good cause?” she asked. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Hippiefest will be held at Causey Mansion Bed & Breakfast (2 Causey Ave., Milford) from 4-5 p.m., Saturday. Tickets are $25. For more info, visit milforddemuseum.org or (302) 424-1080.
Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.
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