No Pageant, But There's Still a Ms. Berkley Days!

There won't be a Berkley Days Pageant Tuesday night; nevertheless, a Ms. Berkley Days has been crowned: freshman Olivia Citraro.

The first Ms. Berkley Days Pageant, originally canceled because of lack of interest, received late entries and enough interest late in the process that the selection committee decided to judge the entrants and name a winner, Berkley Days chairwoman Denise Brainard said.

Citraro receives a $500 college scholarship and will throw out the first pitch at the softball game Wednesday evening .

Citraro was informed of the decision on Monday, Brainard said. She was chosen based on her community involvement, academics, poise, conduct and speaking ability.  

“She is a really dynamic young lady,” Brainard said. “I think she is really going to represent Berkley Days and the city of Berkley well.”

As Ms. Berkley Days, Citraro will be at many of the Berkley Days events this week. Her duties include throwing the first pitch at Wednesday’s softball game between City Hall and the Dad’s Club and judging Saturday’s Pooch pageant.

“We hope she generates enough interest this year, so that next year we can kick the pageant off with something huge,” Brainard said.

No winner in midway VIP pass contest

In other Berkley Days news, Brainard said that there will be no free “VIP” wristband for the midway this year because no middle school student was able to answer all the questions about Berkley and its history correctly.

“They were pretty challenging questions,” Brainard said. “Next year we will make them easier.”

Punt, Pass and Kick competition added

Brainard also said a Punt, Pass and Kick competition sponsored by the Berkley Steelers has been added on Sunday at Hurley Field from noon-2 p.m. There will be cash prizes for each age group.