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The City of Berryville is preparing to mark a historic milestone with an evening dedicated to the people and businesses that have shaped its identity for generations.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, community members will gather at the Berryville High School Performing Arts Center for the Builders of Berryville Awards Ceremony, the signature event of the City’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary.
The ceremony, which will also air live on KTHS Radio 107.1, is expected to draw widespread attention as it honors more than 30 local businesses and individuals who have served the Berryville community for more than 50 years. Among those being recognized are six organizations whose roots stretch back more than a century, underscoring a legacy of endurance, adaptation and deep commitment to community.
The businesses serving Berryville for more than 100 years are: Hanby Lumber Company, Bank of 1889, Anstaff Bank, CS Bank, Poyner Drug and the Berryville School District.
Additional businesses serving the community for more than 50 years include: KTHS Radio, Carroll County News, Nelson Funeral Service, Brashears Furniture, Tyson Foods, Carroll Electric Cooperative Corporation, Wal-Mart, Mercy Hospital, City Barber Shop, Wilson TV, Berryville Liquor Shop, Sugg Oil, Kimes Auto, Williams Tractor, Shelter Insurance, Fairway Inn, State Farm, Danny’s Tire & Full Service, Farm Bureau, Ozark Café, Garner’s Drive-In and Stubbs Grocery.
Another Sesquicentennial event, Founders’ Day, is planned for later this summer and will feature a re-enactment of the historic coin toss that determined the city’s name. That celebration will also recognize additional long-standing businesses and civic organizations that have served Berryville for more than 50 years.
“This event will be both a tribute and a celebration, one that highlights the enduring foundational role these businesses have played in Berryville’s growth and character,” said Mayor Tim McKinney. “Who we are today is a credit to these businesses because of their contribution, and we’re delighted to recognize them.”
Designed with a relaxed yet celebratory tone, the evening will feature an awards-style format inspired by the Academy Awards while maintaining the warmth and accessibility that defines Berryville. Jamie Hussey and Dean Lee will serve as master of ceremonies, as honorees will be introduced on stage, presented with commemorative awards, and invited to share brief remarks or reflections.
In addition to the ceremony, participants will take part in a red-carpet photo opportunity with Mayor McKinney and provide short sound bites for the live radio broadcast. Honorees are also encouraged to bring colleagues, family members, or past leadership on stage to share in the recognition—an acknowledgment that many of these businesses represent generations of dedication.
Coverage of the celebration will continue beyond the event itself, with quotes, photos and highlights being featured in a post-event publication by the Carroll County News.
“As a longtime resident and business owner, I love this community and the relationships built here over the years,” said Jamie Hussey, Berryville Parks and Recreation director. “We’re excited for the opportunity to honor our longstanding merchants, celebrate our history, and recognize how far we’ve come.”
As Berryville commemorates 150 years, the Builders of Berryville Awards Ceremony serves as a reminder that the city’s story is written not just in dates and milestones, but in the persistence, service and passion of those who have helped grow this community for decades.
“We hope that all of our residents will come out to this free event and enjoy what promises to be one of the most memorable evenings in the history of Berryville”, said Dean Lee, Berryville’s Economic Development director. “We look forward to saluting these businesses that have contributed to build Berryville into the great community that it is today.”
There is no cost to attend or participate in the event. Organizers emphasize that the evening will be as much about community pride as it is about recognition and an opportunity for Berryville to reflect on its past while looking ahead to its future.
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