The 2026 Perkins Memorial Performance Series kicked off on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m., with an exciting performance by Science Heroes. The interactive show launched a month of free family entertainment presented every Wednesday throughout August. (Photo from NBL)

NEW BERLIN - The 2026 Perkins Memorial Performance Series kicked off on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m., with an exciting performance by Science Heroes. The interactive show launched a month of free family entertainment presented every Wednesday throughout August.

Sponsored by Andrea Miller and Ruso Donald Perkins in memory of their parents, Ruso and Jean Perkins, the series honors a family with deep roots in the New Berlin community. The annual performance series is organized by the New Berlin Library.

Due to ongoing renovations and equipment installation at Hyde Park, this year's performances are being held in the New Berlin Library Community Room.

Science Heroes presented "Digging It," a high-energy STEM program featuring live science experiments, audience participation, and hands-on demonstrations. Before each experiment, the presenter explained the scientific concept and invited children to make hypotheses about what they thought would happen. Young volunteers eagerly assisted with several demonstrations, making the show both educational and entertaining.

One of the biggest highlights was the Toilet Tornado™, which sent streams of toilet paper flying overhead as children jumped to catch the fluttering rolls. Other crowd favorites included the Disappearing Polymer™ and the Hydro-Cannon™, both of which showcased fascinating scientific principles in fun and memorable ways.

The remainder of the 2026 Perkins Memorial Performance Series includes:

-Aug. 12: Dirt Road Express Band

-Aug. 19: Ron Cain Dino Magic, followed by free ice cream

- Aug. 26: Dan the Snakeman

All performances begin at 6 p.m. and last approximately one hour.

The Perkins Memorial Performance Series is free and open to the public. The New Berlin Library is located at 15 S. Main St., New Berlin. Community members of all ages are invited to attend these family-friendly performances throughout the month of August.

Some great new additions to the library include: The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose, Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman, Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights Series) by Fern Michaels, and Getting Away with Murder by Shari Lapena.

The New Berlin Library is located at 15 South Main Street, New Berlin.   The Library is open Monday and Wednesday 10AM-8PM; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10AM-5PM; and Saturdays 10AM-noon. The web address is http://libraries.4cls.org/newberlin/. Please contact us at 607.847.8564 or like and message our Facebook page New Berlin Library and Museum (https://www.facebook.com/newberlinlibrary.newberlinny) with any questions.

- Information from the New Berlin Library