An Afternoon of Art, Music and Food
What’s the significance of “684,” you wonder? It’s Milford area’s local telephone code (the first three digits after Delaware’s iconic, statewide (302) area code), and residents are rightfully proud of their unique identity, a blend of agricultural and small town charm.
Similar to many “First Friday” celebrations popular around the country, the inaugural Tour 684 will take place the first Friday of every month, from May 7th, through October 1 this year, from 3pm until 7 pm. Just a short ride off Coastal Highway, Milford has much to share.
The “tour” is a moving feast of crafts, music and food, featuring local artisans, live music and food trucks. The event is the brainchild of the owners of Fuel Automotive, Frantic Frets Music & Antiques and Lockwood Design, located at 26348, 26370 and 26412 Broadkill Road respectively. Their sites, just outside of downtown Milton will feature a combination of live music and various crafts, artwork and handcrafted jewelry. While there, if that is your first leg of the tour, plan on browsing and shopping, and be sure to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the music performed on the Frantics’ deck. May 7th’s tour will feature popular local duo, Sticky Notes.
Sample a picnic-like meal from local favorite, Broadkill Store on Tour’s food truck. Then wander through Frantic Frets & Antiques barn filled with eclectic treasures, and enjoy art by Annette Babich, of Broadkill Tattoo Company & Gallery. From Frantic Frets, you can also venture over to neighboring Mansion Farm Inn to visit co-owners David Stiber and Will McQueen. They’ll be there to chat about their historic bed & breakfast, and will also have several of Stiber’s artworks on display. Meticulously renovated in 2019 by McQueen and Stiber, Mansion Farm Inn it has become a popular wedding venue, and earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Confirmed May vendors to date for the Broadkill Road location include: Coastal Candle Company, Coastal Creations, Frantic Frets Music & Antiques, Kathryn’s Treasures, Mansion Farm Inn – David Stiber Artist, Milton Garden Club, Paul’s Kitchen, Prime Hook Pickers, Broadkill Store on Tour, the Crafty Couple 302 and Totem Farms. Meanwhile, in charming nearby downtown Milford, several specialty shops and cafes will be participating “hosts” of Tour 684 trekkers. A map and list of participating shops can be found at tinyurl.com/tour684map.
Thirsty after all of that touring? Quench yourself at, Brimming Horn Meadery, a vineyard and uber-casual wine café. Stop by for locally crafted mead, wine or hard cider – and bring along your four-legged companion – it’s notably pet friendly!
Additional tour participants will be posted on the tour’s Facebook page, along with any unexpected weather delays. So if you’ve often wondered about charmingly Victorian Milford, Tour 684 is another fantastic and fun way to explore “Delaware by Day.”