Berlin Lions Club Saves The UpBeat Picnic

When construction began at Berlin High School it looked as if the 24th Annual UpBeat Picnic would have to be cancelled. The new building and the construction site would take up much of the area where the picnic was held each year.

Instead the Berlin Lions Club came to the rescue and will host the picnic at the Berlin Fairgrounds. The picnic will take place on May 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be parking on the fairgrounds and a shuttle bus will also run from 4 to 9 p.m. from the high school for those who would prefer using it.

"We thought we better not have the picnic this year when we saw where the new building was and the fact that it was going to be an open construction site," said UpBeat Coordinator Alice Mitchell. "We talked about a few possible places but we didn't think any would work. Then someone mentioned the Lions' fairgrounds. The Lions had always helped us out by hosting a Peer Leader Party for between 200 and 300 students but we thought this might be too big. They really saved the picnic."

Berlin Lions President Diane Dornfried-Jacobsen said it was an easy decision for the the Lions Club Board of Directors.

"We were approached by Alice Mitchell earlier this year regarding the possibility of using the fairgrounds for the UpBeat picnic." Dornfried-Jacobsen said. "With the ongoing construction at the high school and the popularity of the picnic, the former location would not work. 

"In light of all the mutual help and support between UpBeat and the Lions Club, our Board of Directors thought having the picnic at our fairgrounds would be an excellent fit.

"Since the UpBeat volunteers are so familiar with our fairgrounds and the fact that they have the entire picnic down to a science, we are not 'running the picnic.' The Lions are ready to assist as needed. We hope the weather cooperates - events at the fairgrounds just don't seem complete without some rain."

Mitchell said this is a memorable year for UpBeat.

"We are extremely grateful to the Lions for hosting us this year," Mitchell said. "This it the 24th annual picnic but this is the 25th birthday for the Berlin UpBeat program."

As usual, there will be hot dogs and beverages for free to all those who attend but this the major fundraiser for UpBeat. There will be a silent auction and anyone who wants to contribute to it can contact Mitchell at  amitchell@berlinschools.org.