Milton festival harvests good times
Published Monday, September 17, 2007 by Standard-Journal
By Jeff Shaffer. Reprinted with Permission.

ACCEPTABLE ROADWAY TAILGATING — Standard Journal’s float, which earned first place in the commerical/retail category, rolls by the crowds and judges’ stand in downtown Milton during the Milton Harvest Festival parade Saturday afternoon. The newspaper chose tailgating as its float theme. (Right) Standard Journal’s head of composing, Brock Baker, accepts the first-place trophy from Dale Kriner, chair of the festival. Photos by Jeff Shaffer/Standard Journal

Parade Grand Marshall Nancy Slease

MILTON - Let's just say, you were likely to bump into someone Saturday in downtown Milton. The 31st annual Milton Harvest Festival wrapped up this weekend. Some of the highlights included another big day of arts, crafts and food, the parade and its awards ceremony. It didn't slow in the evening either with the much-anticipated return of the Tournament of Bands at Milton High's Alumni Field.

Russell, as did hundreds of others, lined Front Street for the festival’s parade, featuring a variety of organizations, competition floats, Milton’s marching band, the festival’s princesses and others. He sat in the lawn in front of the Milton post office, his usual spot where he sits with friends from Watsontown. He and his wife, Violet, met there years ago.

“It was a nice day (for a parade),” said Florance Meckley of Watsontown.

And now that the festival is over, winter can come, said Michelle Frye of Watsontown.

THE PRINCESS AND HER MOTORCADE — This year’s Milton Harvest Festival Princess Kelsey Ruch waves to the crowds during Saturday’s parade. Photo by Jeff Shaffer/Standard Journal

Winter is still a few months off, but it certainly felt like it was right around the corner for those who attended the Tournament of Bands.

There was a lively atmosphere at the tournament, especially when Milton, which got a standing ovation by the locals, took the field. That isn’t believed to have happened since the last tournament 16 years ago.

“I think this is phenomenal,” said event co-chair Melanie Klees of Milton. “There are lots of people, and we can only hope that it grows next year.

“This is an amazing opportunity for the kids.”

The other co-chair, Tracy Hower of Milton, said they are thrilled by the support of the Harvest Festival Committee, sponsors and the band boosters. They added proceeds from the event will go towards new uniforms for the band.

A lot of credit is given to second-year band director Brett Hosterman, who wanted to bring band competition back to the school. Saturday’s performance by Milton was treated as an exhibition, since they were the host school. The competing bands were Schuylkill Haven, Loyalsock, Mifflinburg and Bloomsburg. Line Mountain and Lewisburg also held exhibitions.

Jeff Shaffer: 570-742-9671
jeff@standard-journal.com

The Milton marching band (above) was warmly welcomed back to field competition with the return of the festival’s Tournament of Bands. Milton performed an exhibition for the attendees. CARNIVAL ON WHEELS (right) — The X-Treme Club of Central Pa. Youth Ministries surely brought some color to Saturday’s parade. The judges awarded them second place. Photos by Jeff Shaffer/Standard Journal

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