A newly installed meadow strip at Keyes Field in Milford, established and tended by volunteers who annually present the WildFlower Festival, offers sweet opportunities for sampling pollen and nectar by honey bees, moths, butterflies and other airborne visitors. Courtesy photo

MILFORD – Live music, tasty fare from an array of food trucks and the wares of more than 50 vendors of artworks, pollinator plants and educational material giveaways surely will draw hundreds to the Third Annual WildFlower Festival (WFF), upcoming 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Keyes Memorial Park on Elm Street in Milford.

“Last year’s second annual WildFlower Festival funded the extensive installation of a meadow strip at Keyes Field with our team of 13 wonderful volunteers planting the 350-square-foot pollinator destination,” said local Griff Comtois, event founder and director.

“Our art and music festivals have supported the creation of community gardens now showcasing more than 200 flowering plants including 15 native species attractive to pollinators,” he added.

Comtois noted that the gardens are glorious from spring through summer with peaks in August when the Third Annual 2025 WildFlower Festival is anticipated to draw families and friends from Milford and the region.

He credited fellow locals Beth Comtois, Drew West, Brent McHale and Christine Schwab, along with Ryleigh Schwab and Xoey Teixeira for the planning and digging and ongoing guardianship of the green spaces.

The debut of the pollinator garden planted at Keyes Field in Milford following the First Annual WildFlower Festival in 2023 blossoms with banks of daisies, lavenders, sages and other natural wonders. Courtesy photo

Members of the Milford Department of Public Works, the Milford Recreation Department and other organizations are commended for ongoing assistance. The initial effort in 2023 to install the fragrant greenery was launched by around $6,500 in WFF contributions. Comtois added.

“You can come down now and check out last year’s garden in full bloom,” invited Comtois. “Then, bring everyone back for a day of family fun at the 2025 WildFlower Festival on Aug. 16 at Keyes Field.”

For more information on the 2025 Third Annual WildFlower Festival contact WFF Director Griff Comtois via Instagram at wildflowerfest. Inquiries also are welcome via email at griffcomtois@gmail.com.

The core group of volunteers credited with beautifying the community through the establishment of a series of enticing pollinator gardens include locals, standing from left, Drew West, Griff Comtois, Beth Comtois and Brent McHale, seen here with associates, foreground from left, Christine Schwab, Ryleigh Schwab and Xoey Teixeira, Landyn Crocker and Ari Frankel. Courtesy photo

Hundreds of hours of volunteer labor and materials sourced through funds raised at the Second Annual WildFlower Festival event of 2024 in Milford result in a newly added beauty spot for all to enjoy. Courtesy photo

Volunteers alongside a truckload of earth prepare to plant a meadow strip whose greenery is selected to attract a wide range of birds, butterflies, honey bees and other pollinators. Courtesy photo