Annual Spring Celebration hops back to downtown Berlin, kick off to summer season

BERLIN, Md.- “Nobody throws a party like Berlin,” Berlin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ryan Nellans said.

Hundreds of community members and visitors hopped to downtown Berlin Saturday for the annual Spring Celebration. It was the makings of a fun filled day from an Easter egg hunt, face painting, live music, and more.

“The events are always something special and they’re always just a little bit different than the year before,” Nellans said.  “Like most of our events, the chamber’s objective is to draw business into town and help highlight our businesses.”

Outside of all the fun, event sponsor Atlantic General Hospital was boots on the ground providing outreach services. “Not everybody’s comfortable with going to the doctor and they may get a little nervous. I think sometimes as nurses we can take that fear away and give them education and some basic health screening information that gives them confidence,” AGH RN Tracy Hunter said.

Outreach didn’t stop there, as local group The Dress Ministry was collecting donations for a water filter system and care packages for children in Guatemala. “The water that they drink has parasites in it and makes them sick,” TDM’s Barbara Entwistle said.

“The kids get food, clothing, first aid supplies, hygiene products, as well as toys.”

Berlin Chamber of Commerce Director Ryan Nellans calling the event a soft opening for the summer rush.

He says visitors can also expect lots of new.” Most folks my age who grew up here do not recognize this Berlin compared to the Berlin it might have been in the 80s or 80s,” Nellans said.  “It’s not something that you can just throw a few dollars at to get, it’s something that’s nurtured over years. It’s the people who live here, work here, and who want to raise their kids here.”

The Chamber of Commerce tells us the day couldn’t have been the success it was without the help of the dozens of volunteers and other sponsors which include The Sterling Tavern Restuarant and The Treasure Chest.