NEW BERLIN – Plans are underway for a village-wide celebration as event organizers put the final touches on New Berlin’s bicentennial festivities.

This year marks the milestone 200th anniversary of the Village of New Berlin – and while some things have certainly changed since the village was incorporated, the sense of community is one thing that’s stayed the same.

Activities will be held throughout the village starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, but a kick-off block party is scheduled for 3-7 p.m. Friday in the Chase Nursing Home parking lot. The party will include a live band, door prizes, and hamburgers and hot dogs for sale.

Several events will be held in the village Saturday, including a community picnic at Elm Street and Hyde Park at noon (all are encouraged to bring a dish to pass), musical and dance performances on the Preferred Mutual downtown stage, baseball games at Chobani Fields, quilt shows at the Masonic Temple, an ice cream social (sponsored by Stewarts) from 2-4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and a walking tour of the historical village from 1-4 p.m. Touring maps will be handed out at the picnic, NBT Bank, village offices, and the library.