NEW BERLIN – The 45th Annual Youth Days promises to be even bigger and better this year. Taking place in front of Milford Academy in downtown New Berlin Aug. 24-27, the event promises to provide good fun and family entertainment. Admission to all events is free.

Kicking off the Youth Days events was the antique tractor pull on Fish Field and the youth days golf tournament at Riverbend Golf Course Aug. 12. This event was sponsored by Preferred Mutual and Golden Artist Colors.

Youth Days opening day Aug. 24 consists of sand and water games, food booths and midway rides, wood carving demonstrations, an ice cream eating contest, tune time by the midway, and a watermelon eating contest. Thursday night special from 5-10 p.m includes all midway rides being $1.

Friday’s events include a Miss Youth Days, Youth of the Year, Junior Miss Youth Days, and Little Miss Youth Days pageant at the Unadilla Valley School, and a raffle drawing by the midway.

Saturday gets started with kids bingo, cookie decorating, a pet show, an EMS demonstration, kids picnic, and a bike decorating contest. Later on there will be the 45th annual parade featuring Alexander Fire Department Band sponsored by gates-Cole and New York Mutual Insurance Co.

The band has returned back to New Berlin Youth Days celebration at the request of the community. Directed by Bob Hulshoff, the band has played “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” over 1,200 times in 116 locations. The band is known for their spiritual marches. The band originally formed during WWI. During WWII the band called it quits but rejoined again in 1957 as a street marching band.