Millwood Daze showcases tiny city
Most travelers on North Argonne Road don’t take the time to visit the small city that sits along their route.
On Aug. 27, the city of Millwood invites those commuters and people from all over the region to walk around and see what the city has to offer during the annual Millwood Daze.
“We want people to celebrate Millwood,” said Shirene Young, Millwood Better for Business founder and event organizer. “Recognize (Millwood) as its own city, not just a conduit to the freeway.”
Millwood Daze was developed by area business owners to celebrate getting their streets back after 2009’s long summer of road construction along the Argonne Road corridor. Adding more events and participants every year, it has become a celebration of community for the small city nestled between the river and freeway.
The daylong event kicks off with biplanes from Felts Field signaling the start of the Millwood Daze 5K Dash at 9 a.m., and ends with the showing of “The Absent Minded Professor” behind the Rocket Bakery at dusk.
Anytime Fitness owner and race coordinator Lon Page anticipates between 200-300 runners this year for the 5K fun run.
The proceeds from this year’s race benefit the Inland NW chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The cause has special meaning to Page as earlier this year his father, Elden, died from complications due to Alzheimer’s.
“I’m looking forward to paying tribute to my father and to the association that gives so much support to other caregivers of Alzheimer’s,” Page said. “It’s a service people should know about.”
All participants are eligible for door prizes, including the grand prize of a one-year membership to Anytime Fitness, and yoga certificates to the Mellow Monkey Yoga Studio.
The Millwood Daze Art Festival, hosted by Millwood Art Gallery and Pamee’s Art Studio, will be from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. in front of the Millwood Gallery, 9009 E. Euclid Ave. Traffic will be restricted on the 9000 block to provide room for artist booths.
Attendees will judge participating artists’ work and prizes will be awarded for the Best of Show and Best Booth. Winners receive $25.
More than 30 artists have committed to participate this year, tripling the participants from last year. Ink to Media and Avenue West Galleries will showcase various artists.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Teresa Peluso-Antosyn, owner of The Millwood Gallery. “We have a lot more artists participating this year.”
Hoping to provide a more centralized location for activities, new additions this year include live music and vendor booths throughout the day beginning at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road.
Other area businesses will have giveaways or special activities at their location such as a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Temple from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 3219 N. Argonne Road; and a chalk art contest and cake walk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Albertsons Shopping center at Trent Avenue and Argonne Road.