Berlin Brewery Hosting Family Event For Fireworks Display On July 3

BERLIN — Burley Oak Brewing Co. will be hosting an all-ages family friendly event during the Town of Berlin’s fireworks display on Sunday, July 3, from 6-11 p.m.

Donating $5,000 to the display, Burley Oak will be the town’s largest sponsor and wanted to hold an event in conjunction to add to the fun, festive atmosphere.

“Burley is opening the parking lot so that people have somewhere to sit, drink a few beers or nonalcoholic beverages and see the fireworks easily,” Burley Oak General Manager Nicky Chavis said. “We wanted to help make the display happen, because everyone in the community was so let down last year when we were told they weren’t going to be happening. We didn’t want that to happen again.”

Chavis said there was a new sense of excitement around that part of Berlin because the town is developing a new multiple use outdoor park, Berlin Falls, across from the brewery.

Town of Berlin Economic Development Director Ivy Wells said she and Chavis worked together on the event.

“I told [her] we were holding fireworks this year; we discussed what Burley could do to help, and the rest was history,” Wells said.

The Town of Berlin also donated $5,000 to the display, and thanks to Burley Oak’s marketing, more sponsors have been added.

“We put together a sponsorship package and put it out to some local businesses in Berlin, so visitors will be able to see the generosity that helped make the evening happen,” Chavis said.

Being able to be such an integral part of making the event possible in Berlin was extremely important to Burley Oak, she added.

“To be able to celebrate the day of independence of your country, in your own town, with your family, without having to travel or fight traffic, makes the holiday that much more enjoyable and memorable,” Chavis said.

The event at Burley Oak will differ only from other displays in the area, “because it will exude a sense of community,” according to Chavis.

Chavis added, “Tourism is absolutely welcome, but the fireworks and festival being the day before the holiday is really for all of our local community members to be able to enjoy, since most of them will be working on the holiday. This event was put together to give the people of Berlin and surrounding areas somewhere to watch the fireworks a little easier.”

Burley Oak will be offering 20 different beers at $5 a glass, along with Burley’s new “Burley Beverage Line” that includes cold brew coffee, nitro coffee, root beer, rotating flavored sodas as well as kombucha and other handcrafted nonalcoholic beverages. Live music will be provided by Zion Reggae, and there will be a variety of children’s games and activities, including a bounce house. Food will be provided by the Sobo’s Food Truck as well as local treats like Eastern Shore Kettle Korn and others.

Chavis noted that Burley Oak advocates the use of nontraditional transportation and encouraged all who attend to ride their bikes.

“Make sure you and the entire family remember your beach chair,” she said as the parking lot will not have offered seating.

Parking will be available at the neighboring Maryland Coast Dispatch, Berlin Falls and a small handicapped lot will be available at the brewery as well.