Brewster Chamber takes a look back at 2021 events

BREWSTER – 2021 was a consequential year for the Brewster Chamber of Commerce as it navigated COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to schedule events including the Annal King Salmon Derby, Fourth of July celebration and parade, Trick or Treat on Main Street, and more.
Chamber president Mike Mauk recapped 2021 highlights and plans for 2022 in a year-end.
“We decided to have a 4th of July event and not a Cherries Jubilee this year,” Mauk said.
It was originally planned as a one-day (Sunday) event, but community feedback convinced the Chamber that Sunday was not an ideal parade day. Parade day was moved up to Saturday, July 3. To make allowances for the record-setting heat that week the music for the Saturday festivities was moved to the shaded back yard of the American Legion building where Waterdog and Brock Hires entertained.
The Legion also handled the 3-on-3 basketball tournament that was moved from the hot outdoors to the cooler the Brewster Middle School
“The new board will need to talk over how to go forward with 2022 for the Fourth of July and all the events,” Mauk said.
Brewster Salmon Derby
The Chamber began assuming operations of the annual Brewster Salmon Derby which was a huge success this year according to Mauk due to the help of previous organizers Lori Kratzer and Randy Cole.
“The Chamber will be doing all the heavy lifting next year, said Mauk. “We have already started on next year’s event by getting SimpleDerby.com to handle the tickets.”
Mauk said that 120 people showed up for the Halloween costume contest that was followed by Trick or Treat on Main Street.
Small Business Saturday last November was coupled with the tree lighting in Legion Park and a visit from Santa.
“We have discussed spending more time and money on the Legion Park decorations and try to get all the businesses to light up the town,” said Mauk. “The city did a wonderful job having their lights on Main Street come on at dark on that same day.”
2022 and beyond
The American Rescue Plan Act has awarded $513,000 to Brewster, Mauk said, and that money can be used for such projects as signage, building facelifts, and downtown core upgrade
As part of the planning for 2022 and beyond the Chamber teamed up with Downtown Strategies, a firm that specializes in helping communities with growth, development and tourist attraction. The Chamber is working on a five-year plan with that group and is planning to work with Brooklyn Holton owner of Firm Foundations on other projects.
The Chamber meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Brewster Senior Center at 109 Bridge Street.