Homecoming Harvest will take place downtown on museum lawn next October

By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Sept. 24, 2020) The Berlin Mayor and Council approved the 2021 calendar of events, including a new event, during its meeting on Sept. 14.

“The new event this year sponsored by the Heritage Foundation and the Calvin B. Taylor Museum is something called the Berlin Homecoming Harvest, which is an event that’s going to take place on the lawn of the museum for the entire community,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director.

“They are going to have local crafts. They’re also going to do an antiques-type road show. It’s basically a hometown event, so people could have family reunions. A lot of the nonprofits will offer food for sale that day.”

The Berlin Homecoming Harvest will take place on Oct. 10, 2021 from 2-5 p.m.

Wells presented the full schedule and who will sponsor each event.

“We’re trying to incorporate and piggyback some events along with 2nd Friday,” she said.

Wells also spoke about adapting to the times and canceling the Berlin Christmas Parade and New Year’s Eve celebrations this year.

“I want you all to know that we are always continually planning and working on alternative plans,” she said.

She assured the mayor and council that there will be fun things for residents and visitors to do in town during the holidays.

District 2 Councilmember Zackery Tyndall inquired about the fireworks that were postponed from July 3.

“With the fireworks, we’ve already paid $5,000 for a deposit,” Wells said. “If we have the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, we do have to pay another $5,000 for that event. So, you’ve got several choices. You could cancel the fireworks for this year and $2,500 of that will get bumped to 2021 to be used as a deposit for next year. So, next year’s fireworks would only be $7,500. If we have the fireworks this year, I’ve already confirmed with the company. They can shoot them off on New Year’s Eve, but we would have to pay an additional $5,000 for that.”

Wells added that the total cost for the fireworks every year is $10,000 and $5,000 of that is due when the town signs the contract.

Tyndall asked Wells if it would be possible to downsize the fireworks show, so the town does not have to pay additional costs. Wells said she would ask the vendor about a discount.

Wells added that the town is considering having the fireworks show earlier in the evening on New Year’s Eve so families with children can enjoy it.

Wells also expressed gratitude for the sponsors who have funded the town’s events for 2019 and 2020.

“[The Berlin Chamber of Commerce donates] a substantial amount of money for us to be able to have our events,” she said. “In fiscal year ’19, we brought in $34,286.86, and last year obviously wasn’t … the donations weren’t as large because of some of the events being canceled, but last year $21,931.”

In a 4 to 1 vote, the mayor and council approved six exemptions to the town’s alcohol ordinance to permit alcohol consumption in non-glass containers within the designated areas of Main Street and Stevenson Lane to 14 S. Main Street, 104 Pitts Street to the intersection of Broad Street and Gay Street and 4 Bay Street to the back of the parking lot at The Atlantic Hotel for the following events in 2021:

— Berlin Jazz and Blues on May 8, 2021, from 12-6 p.m.

— Reggae Play Day on May 14, 2021, from 5-9 p.m.

— Small Town Throw Down on Sept. 11, 2021, from 1-6 p.m.

— Fiddlers Convention on Sept. 24, 2021 from 7-10 p.m. and Sept. 25, 2021, from 12-6 p.m.

— Oktoberfest and Fall Sidewalk Sale on Oct. 16, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

— New Year’s Eve Ball Drop on Dec. 31, 2021, from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

At-large Councilmember Thom Gulyas opposed the exceptions.