Rotary’s Outdoor Day draws Milford locals for a fun weekend Despite a rainstorm in the morning, a good number of people attended the free event which took place at the town’s Plains Park.

The Milford Rotary Club (Massachusetts, US — District 7910) held its inaugural Outdoor Day on Saturday, encouraging locals to get out and enjoy the town’s outdoor resources.

Though there was a rainstorm in the morning, a good number of people attended the free event, which took place at the town’s Plains Park, organisers said.

Among the activities were a fishing derby, a scavenger hunt and a model airplane demonstration.

“The concept was to get people outdoors and enjoying the fresh air,” said Paul Tamagni, a Rotary Club member.

“We wanted to get out in the public and let people know who we are; it’s not a fundraiser, it’s just something people can come out for and enjoy.”

Steve Chaplin, Rotary president, said Milford has many outdoor resources, and the day was a good way of promoting them.

“We have all this great stuff in our backyard – we’d like to get people out and enjoying it,” he said.

Tamagni and Chaplin were manning the fishing derby booth at Milford Pond, and they noted that, despite the inclement weather, there was a nice turnout.

“We were hoping for a couple hundred people, but we got upwards of around 100,” Tamagni said.

“We had someone catch a 14-inch pickerel – that’s the winner so far.”

Rotary member Leanne Velky said the event had sign-ups for the club’s swim programme – which has been in operation for more than 50 years – and that members of the Friends of the Upper Charles Trail and Boy Scouts were present to discuss their respective organisations.

For the scavenger hunt, participants were sent to find 12 signs in the area.
“The point was to get people to take a walk around the perimeter of the park,” Velky said.

John Holcomb, of the Millis Model Aircraft Club, was providing demonstrations of radio-controlled flying aircraft. He showed off several of the devices, flying them above a grassy field.

Holcomb said the club decided to participate as a way to both demonstrate the aircraft and seek new members.

He said the group was familiar with Milford, as it had held frequent shows at Plains Park, and would be looking to do so again this fall.