MILFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ — Downtown Milford is hosting its annual summer festival. With over 100,000 people expected to attend, Milford Memories features over 300 artists, food options, sand volleyball, a Sunday 5K and more.
Joan Spiroff, 83, has been an ambassador for the Milford Memories Festival since its inception 32 years ago.
"How has the festival changed over the years?" I asked.
"It's gotten bigger and bigger. And with a park renovation, that's why we had to move things around. So how are people going to find us? And they said, we need Waldo, so guess what I am now Waldo," Spiroff said.
From greeting everyone at the festival to helping people find booths, Joan also has your back with a QR code that takes you to the festival map.
"It started at a house in the subdivision where I live, and we had the first two years; it was a Civil War play, and then we progressed by getting the Civil War reenactment; I just built the whole thing up to its unbelievable festival," she said.
Organizers Raychel Rork and Joell Beether say this year, there is something for everyone.
"It goes all the way from Huron Street to Summit, we've got art booths all up and down the street, and then we have in Central Park, a kid's activity ten, we have a rock wall, we actually have kids artists, and then we have an amazing beer tent that's open till midnight," Beether said.
"We have artists that have come here from all over the country. Right from glass jewelry, woodworking, art wear, clothes, bags, as Joell said, there is something for everyone," Rork added.
"What's the one thing you will always cherish about this festival?" I asked Joan.
"Talking to everyone," she said.
"What keeps you going?" I asked.
"Life itself, I have a purpose every day to get up. I just want to be happy, and I just want to keep going," she said.
As for what's next for Joan and Waldo? They'll be at the Woodward Dream Cruise next week.
