Volume 21, Number 31
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Crowds flock to Berlin Fair for fun and food Weekend revs up with demolition derby
By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
Crowds of hungry fairgoers kept more than 20 food booths extra busy Saturday during the second day of the Berlin Fair.
By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
“The crowds are pretty good, much better than in the past two years,” said Gus Viteri of the Upbeat Community Team.
Motors revved and bumpers crashed as a demolition derby kicked off the 69th annual Berlin Fair.
The fair wrapped up Sunday. Viteri and other members were busy serving fried dough to lines of people at the Berlin Lions Club Memorial Pool Food Court by the Midway rides and games. “We’re going to fill up today,” said Lenny Tubbs, Lions Club president, of the increasing crowds. He said the first day of the fair, Fri-
The Petting Farm at the Berlin Fair, Saturday, Sept. 16. | Ashley Kus, The Berlin Citizen
day, had larger crowds than last year. Berlin schools had Friday off so children could attend. Saturday, Kensington Congregational Church hurried to make enough of their fa-
mous lobster rolls. “It’s been really good,” said Richard Foster, nicknamed “mister lobster man” at the booth for the weekend. Foster said by 1 p.m. about 60
The bleachers were full, as crowds of people attended Thursday night’s first-ever fair derby, part of Fair Fest. “It’s going good so far,” said Fritz Schmalberger, fair president. “It’s our first year, so we’re really excited.”
JM Motorsport Productions, from New York, hosted the See Fair, A14 derby, with 21 participating
cars from Berlin and other surrounding towns. The show featured five heats of action with three qualifying events, with the final two cars receiving a cash prize and trophy as well as a spot in the championship event. The fourth round let non-winners from the first three events participate. The last car running received $900 and a trophy, with awards for the second-place winner. “Any time there’s smashing and crashing, people are into it,” said Jay Milligan, presiSee Derby, A14
Town to host concert at Veterans Memorial Park The town will welcome the first official day of fall with an outdoor concert at Veterans Memorial Park on Friday.
p.m. The band consists of 30 members of the Navy and is led by Lt. Joel Borrelli-Boudreau, director.
The Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble out of Rhode Island will perform a variety of music beginning at 7
The second annual concert, in front of the newly repaired gazebo, will honor those currently serving in the military
and veterans. Last year the event marked the official dedication of the park, which was completed in 2015 with the newest feature “America’s Wars Walkway.” The park is located off Route 372.
“A lot of people don’t realize the sacrifices veterans have made, including their lives,” said Peter Galgano, the town’s veteran contact person and member of the veterans commission. “The Town of Berlin has always been 100 percent behind what the veterans
want to do.” The veterans commission will once again host the event. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at McGee Middle School. — Ashley Kus
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