Celebrate America’s 250^th Birthday with fun, family, and new-and-old friends at Milton’s down-home, one-of-a-kind Red, White, and YOU! event.

This year’s edition will take place in and around Broadwell Pavilion from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 3. (So, yes, that is the day before Independence Day and starting slightly earlier than past years to help beat the heat.) There’s no cost to be part of it; your only expense might be purchasing something to eat or drink from a food truck on-site. 

The highlight of Milton’s milestone birthday celebration will, once again, be the Walking Parade. Starting around 9:45 a.m., anyone in attendance – all the better (but not required) if they and their strollers are adorned in patriotic colors and flourishes – come together for a walk around a neighborhood set back from Broadwell Road. 

Several all-American attendees will earn prizes consisting of a basket with gift certificates and other locally donated items) for winning different awards. These are the Firecracker Award (for most energetic kid); Freedom Flair Award (most creative outfit); Yankee Doodle Dandy Award (most patriotic kid); Red, White, and Ride Award (for the most decked-out “vehicle”), and Star-Spangled Squad (for most coordinated family).

When not parading or simply looking good, people – especially young ones – will have lots to keep them entertained. And, new this year, ways to keep them cool in the form of a water slide and other water attractions. Other activities include a crafts table, balloon twisting, face painting, and dancing to DJ-spun tunes. 

Want to sweeten your morning even more? You can keep it chill by purchasing a treat from King of Pops or Kona Ice, or a drink from Jade’s Craft Lemonade Bar. Flavor on the Fork – a chicken-and-waffles themed food truck – will serve warm food, as will Milton Fire Corps members grilling up hot dogs. 

A hearty thanks goes out to Outback Deck, this event’s Stars (or top-level sponsor). The second sponsor tier consists of Window Nation, Ridgeline Floors and Bath, as well as Stable Orthodontics and Little Spurs Pediatrics Dentistry, with Mathnasium providing in-kind support.

Note, too, that part of Broadwell Road will close around 7 a.m. that Friday and reopen in the early afternoon to accommodate this community event.