Ladies Night Out in Milford expected to draw 600

Downtown Milford will host “Ladies Night Out” tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 6 beginning at 5 p.m. and lasting until 9 p.m.

“This is geared as a fun girlfriend’s shopping night out,” said Ann Barnette, executive director of the Milford Downtown Development Authority (DDA). “Girls can get together with their friends and make an evening of it. It’s been a very popular event and it draws women out of Milford who are very busy.”

The Ladies Night Out event occurs twice a year in Milford, first in April and then in October.

Wendy Skolnik, president of the Milford Business Association, said the first such event occurred five years ago and it consisted of mostly couples. However, over the years the number of men attending the night out started to dwindle.

“We usually get about 600 people,” she said. “We find that a lot of women enjoy themselves and the evening.”

She added that attendees will be able to pick up a card at participating merchants during the event, and then get the card stamped.

Once a card has 10 stamps, participants can turn it in for a chance to win one of 40 gift certificates from Milford businesses and restaurants.

No purchases are required in order to get a card stamped.

Barnette said the event draws women ranging from 20-years-old to 70-years-old.

Downtown businesses will be offering giveaways, discounts and sales during the event, while area restaurants will also have specials for people participating in the biannual event.

The Milford DDA was established by Milford Village in 1982 in accordance with Public Act 197. The DDA is a commercial district revitalization organization dedicated to improving the economic viability, beauty and historic significance of the DDA district, according to the authority’s website.