Milton Theatre Races to Buy Quayside Concert Venue Land

Theatre must raise funds in 30 days to purchase property before owner liquidates assets.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Milton Theatre in Delaware is in a race against the clock to raise funds to purchase the land for its popular Quayside concert venue. The theatre has rented the parking lots on Union Street for its annual Quayside @Nite concert series since 2020, but the owner is now looking to liquidate the assets, giving the theatre just 30 days to come up with the money to buy the land. The theatre had planned to purchase the property in a couple of years, but the unexpected timeline has forced them to accelerate their fundraising efforts.

Why it matters

Quayside @Nite has become a beloved community event in Milton, featuring local and regional bands. Purchasing the land would allow the theatre to make permanent improvements to the venue, like adding bathrooms and a stage, to make it usable year-round. Losing the venue could be a major blow to the local music scene and Milton's vibrant community events.

The details

Milton Theatre has already raised nearly $70,000 towards the purchase, but needs to come up with the full amount in just 30 days. The theatre plans to hold additional fundraising events like concerts and raffles during the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday and following weeks to try to meet the deadline. If successful, the theatre says it will likely build permanent bathrooms and a stage at the Quayside venue.

  • The Quayside @Nite concert series began in 2020.
  • Milton Theatre has rented the parking lots on Union Street for the concert series since 2020.
  • The owner of the Quayside property is now looking to liquidate the assets, giving the theatre 30 days to purchase the land.

The players

Milton Theatre

A local performing arts venue in Milton, Delaware that hosts concerts, plays, and other community events.

Jacey Brittingham

The Director of Development at Milton Theatre.

Quayside

An outdoor concert venue in Milton that hosts the annual Quayside @Nite concert series organized by Milton Theatre.

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What they’re saying

“It was always in our plan to purchase Quayside, but that really wasn't in our plan until a couple of years down the line because we are in the middle of construction for our new education wings as well. So, we've got a lot going on.”

— Jacey Brittingham, Director of Development, Milton Theatre

“We really don't have that opportunity. The owner of it really needs to liquidate this asset right now so… we're going to do everything we can to come up with the money in 30 days and keep our fingers crossed and hope that we do”

— Jacey Brittingham, Director of Development, Milton Theatre

What’s next

Milton Theatre plans to hold additional fundraising events like concerts and raffles during the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday and following weeks in an effort to raise the funds needed to purchase the Quayside property within the 30-day deadline.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the importance of community-driven performing arts venues like Milton Theatre, and the challenges they can face in securing long-term homes for their events. The Quayside venue has become a beloved part of Milton's cultural fabric, and losing it could be a major blow to the local music scene and the theatre's ability to serve the community.