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MILAN DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION promoting Milan Pride in downtown
MISSION STATEMENT Milan Downtown Association is dedicated to the revitilization and beatification of downtown, to encourage growth of retail or service oriented businesses and to instill pride in our town. The Milan Downtown Association was started in 2006 with a group of mainly downtown business owners for the purpose of getting something started on improving and revitalizing the downtown area. During the past four years the assocation has held many fundraisers to support their projects. The major event in the past has been the Burger Bash and Bluegrass Festival which included a burger cooking contest, vendors and bluegrass musical entertainment. This year on Saturday, August 28th this event will become the Milan Main Street Festival. There will be merchandise vendors and food vendors up and down Main Street. There will also be a stage with live music, a talent competition, pet contest and more. There will be free admission and it will run from 10a.m. to 8 p.m. The first major project of the association was the construction of the downtown Music Park on Williamson Street behind Elliott's Music. The Park includes a covered pavillion with lights and fans. In the border around the pavillion are some of the Memorial Bricks that have been sold. In the park are four lamp posts and benches that were donated by Lowes. The park was also sodded. The bluegrass pickers that weekly meet at Elliott's Music on Saturday mornings use the pavillion for their gatherings as long as the weather allows. The park is also used by downtown employees and visitors for a picnic or afternoon break. Another project was the Bob Parkins Place Park in front of the parking lot on Main St. which has a plaque designating the park in memory of Bob Parkins, the long time Editor of the Milan Mirror Exchange. Two sets of tables and chairs along with umbrellas were placed in the park. These items are in memory of Lema Arnold James. There are also many Memorial Bricks in the patio. Also trash receptacles were placed in this park along with the Music Park on Williamson Street, compliments on Woodmen of the World. In the walkthrough on Main Street, next to the Milan Special School District office, the association built a low stone wall with columns similar to the other parks. A patio area in the center contains Memorial Bricks for those associated with education in Milan. The Milan Downtown Association, as part of the fund-raising efforts for the development of the downtown area, sells Memorial Bricks. These 4" X 8" bricks are $75 and can be engraved with up to a three line tribute to someone you want to remember or honor. Wording can be a maximum of 17 letters per line (spaces and punctuation are counted as letters). To order a Memorial Brick, please send a check with the information you want on the brick to address below. Memorial Bricks are now located in the Music Park, Bob Parkins Place and the Milan Special School District walkthrough. Milan Downtown Association The Milan Downtown Association is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 tax exempt corporation. For further information contact: Venada Ing, President - 686-3181
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