Officials Release More Details About Fights That Disrupted Berkley Days Festival

BERKLEY, MI — Officials released more details about numerous fights that happened Saturday evening at the Berkley Days festival.

Police said three minors, who were at the festival without parents, were arrested on charges related to assault and battery after a series of fights that broke out at the festival located near 11 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway.

One juvenile was injured in the fights and was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Officials said the first fight broke out at roughly 6:50 p.m. Saturday when the festival reached maximum capacity. Festival workers quickly began shutting down games and rides to manage the situation, police said.

As crowds were leaving the area, two more fights broke out between unaccompanied minors, but officials said they were "quickly contained by officers." It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured in those fights, police said.

After the Saturday fights, officials shortened the fourth and final day of the festival on Sunday to end at 4 p.m., which was two hours earlier than originally planned, police said.

Officials also enforced new rules, including guests to show ID and, if under the age of 21, be accompanied by a parent or guardian and purchase a $20 wristband in addition to the $3 entry fee.

Officials did not report any problems on Sunday at the festival.

This is the second straight year the festival was shut down early due to minors fighting. Officials have not yet determined if the festival will return in 2025.

"The safety measures put in place following last year’s event allowed us to manage Saturday’s incident to the best of our ability," Berkley Public Safety Lt. Andrew Hadfield said. "Our action plan was informed by a year’s worth of research and planning, following best practices set by surrounding communities."