2025 Milford Oyster Festival Update

The Annual Milford Oyster Festival has celebrated 50 years as the premier community event in
Milford and the surrounding areas. The Festival committee is proud of these 50 years, and we
are announcing a change to the format of the Festival.
Beginning in 2025, this event will be held annually as an evening-only event in the Fowler Field
area on the same 3rd weekend in August. The 2025 dates will be Aug 15 and 16 from 5pm-10pm
and no longer include events on the Milford Green, Lisman Landing, Armory Square, Rotary
Pavilion and Milford Harbor. This will allow for the expansion of the very popular “Oyster Eve”
event from one night to two nights with continued great live music, oysters, food, beer and wine.
The decision to revamp the Oyster Festival was not an easy one made by our all-volunteer Festival
committee. There are several combined factors that led to this conclusion. Specifically, significant
rising costs in all areas while maintaining a free event, changes in the concert industry that have
created tremendous challenges to book national-level musical acts, and as is the case with many
organizations in today’s world…a lack of new committee members that are able to dedicate
hundreds of volunteer hours every year to this cause.
We recognize this change will not be easy for many of our vendors, supporters and others that
participate in and attend the Festival. However, to continue as the premier Milford event, this is
a necessary evolution that will solidify its future for years to come. Jay Pinto, Festival President
said, “Out of respect for the Milford Oyster Festival and what has been accomplished in 50 years,
we believe it is the right time to close this chapter and begin a new one”.
The Festival’s mission will remain the same; a non-profit organization that promotes downtown
Milford, its businesses and non-profit/civic organizations through an event that celebrates the
importance of Milford’s oyster industry history. Furthermore, the Festival’s direct charitable
contributions to Milford organizations will continue.
We look forward to carrying on this great Milford tradition in this revised way and are excited for
its future. Stay tuned for additional details of the 2025 event on our website
(milfordoysterfestival.com) and our Facebook page. Thank you for your continued support.