New Berlin’s Youth Days kicks off tonight
NEW BERLIN – This weekend, the 48th annual New Berlin Youth Day’s celebration includes midway carnival rides, a beauty pageant and a parade involving all of Chenango County’s fire departments.
Youth Days is held on the grounds in front of Milford Academy, along South Main Street in the Village of New Berlin, every year.
This year, the New Berlin Fire Department is hosting the Chenango County Firemen’s Convention and firefighters will be joining in, participating in Saturday’s parade and holding firematics competitions on the event’s grounds Sunday.
“A lot of the kids who come can’t always afford to go other places. We want to draw in families no matter what their economics are. Everyone needs to be a kid. Also this weekend there are usually a number of class reunions and other events scheduled. It’s a weekend when there are a number of people coming home,” said New Berlin Youth Days Committee President Larissa Hanslmaier.
This weekend’s events begin tonight at 6 in the Unadilla Valley High School auditorium with the Miss Youth Days Pageant and presentations of the ‘Youth of the Year’ and ‘Citizen of the Year’ awards. There is also a Gospel music concert from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the Milford grounds.
Unadilla Valley Class of 2009 graduate Jamie Lee Rifanburg was selected the Youth of the Year for her numerous community contributions and involvement. Rifanburg was chosen from a number of candidates who submitted applications for the Youth Days Scholarship.
Lifelong resident Donald Johnson will be awarded the 2009 Citizen of the Year. His family farm in Columbus has been in operation for over 50 years, beginning with his parents, who also hail from the Columbus area. His two sons, Patrick and Michael, live in the New Berlin area.
“Well of course it is quite an honor. I’m not the greatest with words, but it feels great to be appreciated by my community,” said Johnson.
About a year ago, Johnson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous Yankees player who died of the disease in 1941. He said doctors have estimated that he has no more than six years left to live.
“I still live a good life,” Johnson added.
The citizen award is based on a vote open to all community members and Johnson was chosen by popular acclaim. New Berlin NBT Branch Manager and Youth Days committee member Brian Burton said more people voted in this year’s citizenship award nomination than any previous one.
“For both awards, it just really comes down to people who have exemplary community spirit and friendship. For youths, good grades play a role, but what matters is making an impact on the community,” he said.
Tonight, Youth Days Pageant contestants will compete in three categories divided by age groups – 5 to 8 for Little Miss, 9 to 12 for Junior Miss and 13 to 18 for Miss Youth Days.
The event is sponsored by the New Berlin Youth Days Committee and is organized by Sheila Randall.
“The girls always do a spectacular job and we’re proud of their performance. I don’t envy the judges this year with so many talented girls waiting to give their best,” said Randall.
Starting Friday night at 6 p.m., and again 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, all carnival midway rides will be free, sponsored by NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, New York Pizzeria and the churches of St. Andrew’s and St. Matthew’s.
Other highlights of the event include the Saturday night Youth Day Parade down Main Street at 6 p.m. A fireworks show will commence at dark, sponsored by New York Central Insurance and Gates-Cole.
Sunday, patrons are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the carnival. Those who do will become eligible to register for a child’s bike drawing at 4 p.m. All the donated food will go to the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry, which is organized by several area churches.
At 10 a.m. Sunday is the New Berlin Fire Department’s firematics competition on the fields behind Milford Academy.
All proceeds for Youth Days go directly to benefit participating youth groups within Chenango County. Groups wanting to receive some of the proceeds need to volunteer their time to make Youth Days possible. Last year, about $3,000 was handed out to local charities following the event.
Youth Days is held on the grounds in front of Milford Academy, along South Main Street in the Village of New Berlin, every year.
This year, the New Berlin Fire Department is hosting the Chenango County Firemen’s Convention and firefighters will be joining in, participating in Saturday’s parade and holding firematics competitions on the event’s grounds Sunday.
“A lot of the kids who come can’t always afford to go other places. We want to draw in families no matter what their economics are. Everyone needs to be a kid. Also this weekend there are usually a number of class reunions and other events scheduled. It’s a weekend when there are a number of people coming home,” said New Berlin Youth Days Committee President Larissa Hanslmaier.
This weekend’s events begin tonight at 6 in the Unadilla Valley High School auditorium with the Miss Youth Days Pageant and presentations of the ‘Youth of the Year’ and ‘Citizen of the Year’ awards. There is also a Gospel music concert from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the Milford grounds.
Unadilla Valley Class of 2009 graduate Jamie Lee Rifanburg was selected the Youth of the Year for her numerous community contributions and involvement. Rifanburg was chosen from a number of candidates who submitted applications for the Youth Days Scholarship.
Lifelong resident Donald Johnson will be awarded the 2009 Citizen of the Year. His family farm in Columbus has been in operation for over 50 years, beginning with his parents, who also hail from the Columbus area. His two sons, Patrick and Michael, live in the New Berlin area.
“Well of course it is quite an honor. I’m not the greatest with words, but it feels great to be appreciated by my community,” said Johnson.
About a year ago, Johnson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous Yankees player who died of the disease in 1941. He said doctors have estimated that he has no more than six years left to live.
“I still live a good life,” Johnson added.
The citizen award is based on a vote open to all community members and Johnson was chosen by popular acclaim. New Berlin NBT Branch Manager and Youth Days committee member Brian Burton said more people voted in this year’s citizenship award nomination than any previous one.
“For both awards, it just really comes down to people who have exemplary community spirit and friendship. For youths, good grades play a role, but what matters is making an impact on the community,” he said.
Tonight, Youth Days Pageant contestants will compete in three categories divided by age groups – 5 to 8 for Little Miss, 9 to 12 for Junior Miss and 13 to 18 for Miss Youth Days.
The event is sponsored by the New Berlin Youth Days Committee and is organized by Sheila Randall.
“The girls always do a spectacular job and we’re proud of their performance. I don’t envy the judges this year with so many talented girls waiting to give their best,” said Randall.
Starting Friday night at 6 p.m., and again 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, all carnival midway rides will be free, sponsored by NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, New York Pizzeria and the churches of St. Andrew’s and St. Matthew’s.
Other highlights of the event include the Saturday night Youth Day Parade down Main Street at 6 p.m. A fireworks show will commence at dark, sponsored by New York Central Insurance and Gates-Cole.
Sunday, patrons are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the carnival. Those who do will become eligible to register for a child’s bike drawing at 4 p.m. All the donated food will go to the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry, which is organized by several area churches.
At 10 a.m. Sunday is the New Berlin Fire Department’s firematics competition on the fields behind Milford Academy.
All proceeds for Youth Days go directly to benefit participating youth groups within Chenango County. Groups wanting to receive some of the proceeds need to volunteer their time to make Youth Days possible. Last year, about $3,000 was handed out to local charities following the event.
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