Unique Characters Come Out for Milford Plaza's Grand Opening Celebration

May is typically a month of celebrations. Whether it’s a graduation, a wedding, Mother’s Day, or Memorial Day, there’s at least one occasion to enjoy. 

Various characters came out May 5th to celebrate the special grand opening of the I-95 Milford Service Plazas. 

Two colorful clowns were on hand to paint kids faces and create balloon animals while a more famous clown, Ronald McDonald, enjoyed talking with folks of all ages. Ronald, along with several others, met Miss Connecticut 2011 Morgan Amarone who wore her ceremonial crown and sash.

While some were checking out Amarone, others were looking over #14, a Mobil and Office Depot sponsored NASCAR race car which is driven by Tony Stewart. The car was on display in the front parking lot near the Mobil gasoline and diesel fuel station, not far from WEBE 108’s smart car.

Ronald and Miss Connecticut couldn’t pass up an opportunity to hop in the race car’s simulator.

They both posed with the McDonald’s restaurant crew alongside yellow and red balloons and a display of Happy Meal toys. 

One McDonald’s crew member had a small yellow golden arches painted on her face.

A group of young women couldn’t resist getting their photo taken with Miss Connecticut right before posing with a panda bear from Panda Express.

Their restaurant featured orange, black, and white balloons with an employee in orange and black giving out free samples.

With a chef’s apron and white hat, a Sbarro employee gave out free breakfast samples to passersby alongside a display of white, red, and green balloons.

Executives used a giant pair of black scissors to cut a ceremonial blue ribbon in front of Robek’s Premium Fruit Smoothies which featured bright green, bright red, and white balloons right across from Good to Go Organics. 

Customers also saw a giant Dunkin’ Donuts sprinkled donut walking alongside an extra large Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. 

Other costumed figures included a large walking Robek’s smoothie, two walking premium gasoline pumps, and SubMan (a giant walking sub sandwich representing Subway). 

Storm N Norman from WEBE and other personalities from both WEBE and WPLR hosted several raffles during their live broadcasts.  

White and blue balloons were placed near the www.ctvisit.com wall and the Statement “Connecticut-themed” gift shop while Fast Freddie’s was decorated with red, white, and blue balloons. 

Cheeseboy: Grilled Cheese to Go was decorated with orange balloons for the weekend while Subway featured green and yellow balloons. 

Moe’s Southwest Grill had a more varied balloon color assortment with orange, yellow, and black alongside Carvel’s pink and white balloons. 

To see more than 130 photos of the celebration visit the CT Service Plazas Facebook page.