Ham radio will be part of Lighthouse event in Berwick

Staff Report
The big red lighthouse in Berwick will be featured around the world Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Everett S. Berry Lighthouse Park in Berwick from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..
The event is part of the International Lighthouse Weekend. Berwick’s Southwest Reef Lighthouse has been added to the register and will be featured. Ham radio operators, the BEARS (Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Club) will make radio contact with other operators at lighthouses from areas including Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Ireland, South Africa, Italy, Norway and many more, as well as several in the United States.
Each communication will be amplified for everyone to hear. Over 400 lighthouses around the world are currently registered for the event. Last year, the Berwick site made contact with over 50 stations from the United States and many foreign countries.
Co-sponsored by the town of Berwick and Coral Marine, this third annual event will begin with an opening ceremony featuring the Coast Guard Color Guard and area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts raising the American Flag on the Ray Rasberry Memorial Radio Tower alongside the Lighthouse. The day's event will also feature a coloring contest for young children; food; radio demonstrations; and Homeland Security.
Another highlight of the day will be the Berwick Town Market. Local vendors will set up along the seawall to offer a variety of homemade and handmade arts, crafts, produce and more.
The Big Chill will be cooking up America’s favorite food –– hamburgers, hot dogs with homemade chili; Frito Pies and Nachos. And everyone's favorite summertime treat, snowballs, will surely please al.
The purpose of the event is to bring information about the Lighthouse to others, thus fostering international goodwill. Additionally, the event strives to raise the awareness of the critical need for ham radio. This form of communication is often used to make contact in times of disaster.
Ham radio was the only source of contact during Hurricane Katrina and the 911 New York bombing.
Organizers of the event encourage everyone to come out and witness this historic event!