BERLIN – A year after the original honor, Berlin will again be celebrating its America’s Coolest Small Town title from Budget Travel.
On April 18, the town will host a “Cool Berlin” party from 1-6 p.m.
“It took many years to be recognized as one of America’s Coolest Small Towns,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “There are only 10 designated so far and even many years from now this will still be a distinction we should preserve with pride. I believe we should annually celebrate being America’s Coolest Small Town as long as we continue to earn the recognition by the way we live, work and play together.”
The event, which is sponsored by the town, the Atlantic Hotel and the Blacksmith, will begin with a parade of local youth groups at 1 p.m., according to Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic development director. Afterward, Williams will say a few words before attendees are treated to a surprise. Wells would say no more about it.
“You’ll have to be here at 2 p.m. to see,” she said. “It’s never happened here before.”
After that, visitors can take advantage of a number of food vendors and will be able to purchase beer from Burley Oak Brewery. A number of children’s games will take place in the area near Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services. The highlight of the afternoon will be entertainment by the Kelly Bell Band.
“Kelly Bell is a really popular band in Maryland,” Wells said.
The seven-piece blues band, which typically performs in Baltimore, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Wells said part of the reason the group was selected for the Cool Berlin event was because it would attract music fans from all over the state.
“We’re hoping to draw people who have never been to Berlin before but know the Kelly Bell Band,” she said. “They have such a following.”
Though Berlin’s honor as America’s Coolest Small Town is a year old, Wells expects the April 18 event to attract a couple thousand people as it did last year.
To accommodate all of the visitors, parking will be offered at Berlin Intermediate School. A shuttle will take people from there to Main Street.
Officials hope the community comes out to celebrate Berlin’s success during the past year. Williams hopes Cool Berlin will take place every year as long as the town continues to be the place it is.
“A consistent effort to remain cool is a very appropriate ‘Berlin Way’ to strive year after year to improve our happiness and mutual respect for each other in all manner of things,” he said.