Milton Summerfest draws record crowds for day of music, culture and community

By Nikhil Nikhil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

Downtown Milton came alive Saturday, June 7, as the fourth edition of Summerfest coincided with Eid al-Adha, drawing double the usual crowd to Main Street for a day of celebration, community, and culture.

“We are here to spread the message of Islam and celebrate Eid with the community today,” said Farhat Shahid, a member of the Islamic Circle of North America (Canada). “On behalf of the Muslim community, I want to invite people from Milton to celebrate Eid with us at this beautiful event.”

The annual event, organized by the Downtown Milton Business Improvement Area, featured local vendors, cultural booths, live music, and interactive family-friendly activities. The town closed Main Street to traffic from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate the crowds.

Karl Leow, branch manager at BMO, the main event sponsor, said he was excited to take part. “I’m most excited to engage with the Milton community and to have a great time and enjoy this beautiful weather,” he said.

Live music was a key highlight, with local performers covering a range of genres from pop to traditional drumming. Children danced in front of the stage, while older attendees relaxed and enjoyed the entertainment.

“I saw an ad and thought it’d be fun,” said Sophie Cournoyer, a visitor. “I used to perform here years ago. It’s impressive how much things have changed.”

While the event was well received, parking proved to be a major issue for many attendees. “It’s organized really well, although parking is still an issue,” said one Milton resident.

Volunteers, many of them high school students, helped manage the crowd and provide directions. “Just interacting and connecting with others through events like this, especially when it comes to serving the community, is the best for me,” said Erika Lucia, a volunteer.

Vendors also shared their enthusiasm. “My friends told me about the fest and suggested I should have a stall — it turned out to be a great decision,” said Sibel Koca, who participated in the market.

Visitors browsed food and jewelry stalls, enjoyed refreshments and music, and soaked up the lively atmosphere.

“I love the vibe here,” said Isabelle Cournoyer. “There are a bunch of different jewelry and food stalls that bring me back every year.”

As the sun set over downtown Milton, families lingered to enjoy the final performances, many of them leaving with bags of local goods and smiles on their faces.