Millsboro 250 committee finalizes parade logistics, sponsorship follow‑up and bridge painting plans

Jamie Burke, a member of the Millsboro 250 committee, opened the meeting by saying the group would review progress since the last session, including sponsorships and logistics. The committee confirmed a daytime program with setup noon–2 p.m., live music from 2–4 p.m., a parade at 4 p.m., family activities at the ballfield and a fireworks finale in the evening.

Burke reported that the committee had previously recorded $19,000 in collected sponsorships and that two additional checks arrived recently, including one identified in the meeting as from a sponsor described verbally as “Mount Air.” Another sponsor, identified in the transcript as “BB,” told organizers it is having check-processing problems but plans to wire $10,000 once wiring instructions are provided. The committee discussed these receipts and noted a running total informally during the meeting; a final verified total was not stated in the record.

Organizers confirmed parade participation and staging: the committee counted 26 definite parade entries, with two more potential entries. Planners said classic cars and low‑speed vehicles will be treated as single entries for lineup purposes and that they will circulate a finalized entrants list and a satellite parking map to help stage vehicles and floats in advance.

Public‑safety and traffic logistics were a focus. Committee members debated escort timing (options included 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.), and ultimately agreed to plan for an escort into town near 2:00 p.m. and a return escort near 6:00 p.m. to align with the music schedule, the 4:00 p.m. parade start, and shuttle operations. The committee asked the police liaison to confirm officer scheduling once a firm painting/softwash date for the bridge is set.

On infrastructure and aesthetics, Mayor McKe provided notes asking the committee to pursue softwashing and volunteer painting of the downtown bridge and a theater mural. Staff reported outreach to Sherwin‑Williams to match a supplier’s color sample; if Sherwin‑Williams cannot match the specified color, the company will send a salesperson to duplicate the shade on site. Organizers emphasized they must secure written permission from DelDOT and share a firm date with DelDOT before scheduling the softwash and volunteer painting, and they said both the softwash contractor and the mural artist have agreed to perform work even if payment is delayed by a week or two after the event.

Vendors, food and community outreach were also reviewed. The committee discussed host locations for sponsor vehicles and mobile health vans (including permission to use privately owned parking lots), vendor placement in chamber and municipal lots, and downtown restaurant participation; Nectar was cited as confirming grab‑and‑go options. The silent auction inside the chamber will run during the daytime program with donated items such as rounds of golf, gift cards and local experiences; organizers will staff the auction and coordinate prize pickup or retention for winners.

Accessibility and transportation: committee members confirmed a continuous shuttle loop operated with three buses (one or two wheelchair‑accessible) that will continuously circulate rather than adhere to a fixed published interval; the operator agreed to add backup buses if demand increases. Organizers said they will publicize shuttle details and suggested putting information and activity forms on shuttles.

Contingency planning: the pyrotechnics vendor (Brothers Pyro, cited in the meeting) uses wind thresholds to determine fireworks safety; the committee said final decisions on the fireworks and any rain‑date will be made shortly before the event (roughly 48 hours out) in coordination with the pyrotechnics vendor and DelDOT, which would have to approve any street closures for a rain date.

Next steps: staff will finalize the entrant list and timeline, secure written DelDOT permission for bridge work before ordering paint or confirming volunteer painting dates, confirm police staffing for protective traffic control, and follow up on outstanding sponsorship payments. The meeting adjourned with a motion approved at 9:52 a.m.