Release Date: Aug. 18, 2008

BBC to film 2008 Berlin Harvest Fest Parade

Berlin, OH  -- The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) is planning to film parts of the 2008 Harvest Fest Parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 6, for an episode of the TV show Panorama. According to Judith Ahern, producer/director of Panorama, the news show is doing a series on America in an election year. As a result, they will film a parade in Chicago and then our own rural parade.

"This is the perfect opportunity for Holmes Countians to make a great impression on potential visitors from the United Kingdom. Since working Brits receive a minimum of 20 paid vacation days a year and with the value of the British pound strong against the dollar, now is the time to encourage overseas travel to the U.S.," said Shasta Mast, executive director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau.

So, the Chamber and Berlin Main Street Merchants, who co-sponsor the Harvest Fest Parade, are encouraging even greater-than-usual local participation. "While we can't hope to stage a parade the size of a downtown-Chicago event, we can certainly make this year's Harvest Fest Parade the best yet. By showcasing our rural roots, we can offer a fun, family-oriented parade that not even Chicago can surpass," Mast said.

"I for one have never seen local folks back down from a challenge -- this is the same community who beat Las Vegas as the Guinness Book of World Record holder for the World's Largest Buffet."

Since July 2003, the Chamber and Berlin Main Street Merchants have jointly organized a summertime parade. This will be the second year the parade coincides with the annual Berlin Harvest Fest in September.

Last year, the Chamber and Berlin Merchants moved the parade from July to the weekend of Harvest Fest to augment an already successful event and increase local participation. As a result, more marching bands and school groups are able to participate.

Marching bands, youth groups car buffs, fire departments, local businesses and more participate. The event is emceed by Robin Hauenstein.

Harvest Fest includes a mouth-watering rib cook-off, where designated judges select the first-place winner and anyone with a hankering for barbeque can vote for second place. In addition, other food vendors will set up shop in downtown Berlin and musicians will perform on the sqare from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Harvest Fest Parade will step off at 6 p.m. on U.S. Route 62 in front of Berlin Mennonite Church. The parade will continue west on SR 39 and end at the Berlin Elementary School.

If you are interested in participating in the Harvest Fest Parade, please call the Chamber office at 330-674-3975 or send an e-mail to shasta@holmescountychamber.com.