MAC’s Holiday Buoy Tree

MAC’s Holiday Buoy Tree
Call for Participants

The Milford Arts Council is pleased to present this annual community event again this year.
Calling families, artists and local businesses to join in this holiday tradition of making public art for the holiday season.

Volunteers build a 20-30’ tree form from genuine, used lobster traps (some complete with seaweed, weights and line!)
It is then wrapped in sparkly white lights and overlaid with boat line knotted with hand-painted and decorated buoys that the community have submitted.

Register Your Buoy  –  by November 24th, 2025

The Milford Buoy Tree Lighting events – December 7th, 2025

How to Participate

Submit Your Buoy

• If you have an existing buoy, feel free to submit it or redecorate it to make new art!
• This is not a juried exhibit*
  • all buoys delivered by the cut off date will be hung on the tree.
  • *The Milford Arts Council reserves to right not to hang any buoys it deems inappropriate.
• Decorate your Buoy 
  • See the guidelines section below

• Deliver your decorated buoys for hanging 
  • Our volunteers need enough time to string the buoys prior to the tree building date.

Key Dates  

• Pick up blank buoys at the MAC 
  • Tues – Fri from 12-4pm – or by appointment, call the office.
• Drop off decorated buoys  
  • At MAC Downtown –  until Nov  18th  (Tues-Fri, 12-4 pm)
  • At Firehouse Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Ave, Milford
    • Tuesday, Nov 18th,  4-6 pm
    • Monday, Nov 24th,  4-6 pm

• Tree Lighting Events at Lisman Landing
  • • Sunday December 7th, 2pm -6pm
    • Full event details coming soon
    • Music: 4pm-4:45
    • Santa arrives: 4:45
    • Lighting with Mayor: 5:00
• Tree Viewing  Lisman Landing
     December 7th  thru mid-January
• Buoy pick up – Firehouse Gallery
     Mid-January  2026     (date TBD)  

Participant Guidelines

Creativity. Buoys can be decorated in all sorts of ways, painting, adhering all kinds of materials, fabric, paper, anything that will stay glued on, or stuck in, firmly. Some have even been carved. Artistic expression and creativity abound as we’ve seen in past years by our participants.

All submissions should be done tastefully, nothing inflammatory or rude please.

General Prep. New buoys are slightly shiny and slick from the factory, so a light sanding with a fine grade sandpaper may be required for best results. The buoys will be strung together for hanging on the tree, so the hole that runs through the center should be kept open on both ends.

Gluing. lf you are gluing decorations to the buoy, the sanding will help things to adhere. Use a clear glue like E6OOO, Power Tac, Quick Hold or Gorilla , all available from a craft or hardware store. White glues such as Elmer’s will not hold up in the weather. Mod Podge can be used for decoupage, but should be sealed with a cleartop coat for protection.

Sealing. All buoys should be properly sealed for weather protection. You can brush on a clear, water based polyurethane, or use a clear spray, 3 light coats are recommended. You can buy these at any craft or hardware store paint department.

Painting. All paints used should be weather proof: Acrylic, enamel and outdoor craft paint work well. Tempra paint or anything that will run is not recommended. This is especially noted for student/young children work, which typically is water-based for easy clean-up. Their work will disappear with the weather and being in the elements.

After Event Pick-up. Once the tree is dismantled, you can pick up your buoy at the Firehouse Gallery. Dates will be announced.

Notices. Any buoys not retrieved will become property of the MAC after 30 days of the pick-up date. While all buoys will be handled with care by our volunteers, the MAC is not responsible for any damage caused by handling, weather, etc.

Contact Milford Arts Council at info@milfordarts.org or 203-878-6647 to make alternate pickup / drop-off arrangements.

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