Berkley Days celebrates community’s 100th birthday

BERKLEY — The annual Berkley Days fair will be returning to the city this weekend.

Berkley Days, which has been ongoing since 1926, will be held May 11-14 outside the city’s Community Center at 2400 Robina Ave.

As the fair this year falls on the year of Berkley’s centennial, the city will be celebrating 100 years with a 15-minute fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 12. If there is a rain delay, it will be moved to Saturday, May 13, at the same time.

“Berkley Days is something that I’ve always cherished from the time I was a child. So this is something that I hold close to the heart, and I just really enjoy the camaraderie and seeing all the citizens interact,” Berkley Days Committee Chair Denise Downen said. “I love seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and just everybody having a really good time. But Berkley Days is more than just a festival. It is also a fundraiser for all the local service groups that work with us to put together Berkley Days.”

In addition to fireworks, the usual carnival rides will be on-site. There will also be karaoke, live music, a beer tent and a kids zone from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 14.

The Taste of Berkley will be making a comeback to Berkley Days after a three-year hiatus. Highlighted by restaurant samplings, the event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Community Center. Tickets can be purchased at www.bhwya.org/events.

“We’re pretty excited to have (The Taste of Berkley) back,” Downen said. “I’m really excited for the fireworks show, and I’m also excited to be able to bring in this new element with the kids zone and being able to offer more free activities for families.”

Mayor Bridget Dean said there will be many activities for residents to take in at Berkley Days, which she will be attending for the first time as the city’s mayor.

“I think that Berkley Days has a lot of support, not just from Berkley, but surrounding communities,” she said. “It’s a time where people can come together, celebrate being outside. … It’s kind of a rite of passage in the spring in Berkley, kicking off the summer season to come.”

Dean said that when she walks around Berkley Days, it makes her feel good to see multiple generations of families in attendance.

“It’s just heartwarming — Berkley Days is truly a hometown fair,” she said.

The fair will be open 5-10 p.m. Thursday, May 11; 4-11 p.m. Friday, May 12; 1-11 p.m. Saturday, May 13; and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, May 14. Information on ticket pricing and activities can be found at www.berkleydays.org.