The Berkley Days festival will not return this summer, and the future of the long-running community event remains uncertain.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Resident, business owner react to cancellation of Berkley Days

The Berkley Days Association announced Thursday they "made the decision not to hold Berkley Days this year, but is planning for an exciting centennial celebration in 2026! Berkley Days has been run by a dedicated group of volunteers for nearly 100 years."

"I'm kind of disappointed, I thought that was a great tradition for kids," said Jim Sinclair.

Sinclair, who grew up attending Berkley Days, hopes to see the festival return.

"There's a lot of youngsters that are missing out, that was a great memory for me from elementary all the way up to junior high and high school, too," said Sinclair.

I reached out to the association for more information about why this year's festival was canceled, but did not receive a response.

Over the past few years, fights between minors have broken out at the festival, causing it to close early.

2024 Report: Fighting teens causing chaos have Berkley Days organizers evaluating its future Fighting teens causing chaos have Berkley Days organizers evaluating its future

Local business owners expressed concern about the cancellation's impact on downtown foot traffic.

"We're sad to see how everything has transpired over the last couple of years," said Janine Braun, owner of the Artsy Umbrella in downtown Berkley.

She remains optimistic about collaboration between local organizations.

"We're confident too that the chamber of commerce and our DDA, along with our city planners and stuff... they involved the businesses, the businesses here are a very tight-knit kind of community," said Braun.

While Berkley Days won't happen this summer, Sterling Fest, an art and music fair in Sterling Heights, will take place during the last week of July with enhanced security measures.

David Allen, Acting Deputy Chief with the Sterling Heights Police Department, explained their approach to event safety.

"Last year was very, very successful. We implemented fencing around the carnival area, then we did a few other things with curfews for minors," said Allen.

The Sterling Heights event will also utilize AI-equipped cameras throughout the fairgrounds.

"Which is very beneficial not only if someone is causing a problem to identify that person in the crowd, but also for children who may get lost," said Allen.

Berkley residents are now looking ahead to what might replace their traditional community celebration.

"It should be I feel more focused on family and community," said Braun.

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Police agencies across metro Detroit will be cracking down on distracted driving this week. Its part of a huge effort called "Operation Ghost Rider."

That makes me feel very good and very safe, said Sherold Hinton of Detroit.

Detroit resident Sherold Hinton says she makes it her number one priority to not drive distracted.

I dont want to lose my life, however, I dont want to take anyone else. Its being out here and everybody is not paying attention, said Hinton.

7 News Detroit Tiarra Braddock spoke to some more drivers about what they do to make sure theyre not driving distracted.

I just dont be on my phone, said Marion Hamilton of Mount Clemens.

Normally, I dont take my phone. Whenever I receive any calls, I have hands free, said Manuel Meillon of Sterling Heights.

For those people who drive distracted, thats where Operation Ghost Rider comes in.

What that is is we use unmarked spotter vehicles which contain a law enforcement passenger, said Jim Santilli, CEO of Nation Transportation Safety Organization. When the spotter spots a distracted driver, they radio to a fully marked unit to initiate a traffic stop."

Jim Santilli is the CEO of the National Transportation Safety Organization, which is partnering with local sheriff's offices and police departments to pull this operation off.

Theres far too many victims out there impacted by distracted driving. People have lost their lives, said Santilli. People who suffer from permanent injuries.

Santilli says this operation isnt just about giving people tickets.

The goal with enforcement is trying to change driver behavior sometimes its a part of the education process, said Santilli.

During the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Maxwell Hairston as their cornerback.

Hairston is from West Bloomfield and played on the high school's field as a Laker.

Its amazing to see. Its amazing to see our hometown be put on the map like that. Its great, Hairston's sister Alexandria said. And Im so happy my little brother was able to do that.

I spoke to Maxwell Hairstons mom Robin and his two sisters Alexandria and Madison. They were there by his side as he was picked in the first round of the draft.

I wanted to hear his name called thats all I wanted, Madison Hairston said.

It was such a beautiful feeling. I was in tears because Im seeing him live his dream. He wanted to be a football player, first-round pick to whoever picked him and Buffalo Bills, they saw something in him, Robin Hairston said.

Maxwell Hairston was dubbed the ultimate hype man on draft night after he made sure to cheer on every draft pick that went before him.

Max has always been such a team player and thats always something I really admired. He was so happy and excited for each and every person who got called before him and when it was his turn, they all congratulated him back, Alexandria Hairston said.

Maxwell Hairston graduated from West Bloomfield High School in 2021. He then went on to play football at the University of Kentucky.

I caught up with one of his high school football coaches Zach Hilbers.

Hes always about that real vibrant personality, and Im glad hes the same and he never lost it, Hilbers said.

Hear more from Zach Hilbers in the video player below: Web extra: Zachary Hilbers on Maxwell Hairston

Meanwhile, for the Hairston family, they are currently in Buffalo, New York, supporting Maxwell.

They love him here, Robin Hairston said. They love him so much. They couldnt wait to draft him. Thats what they told him.

Many Catholics from across metro Detroit came together for a Good Friday service at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

I loved it, it was great, it was great, said Liem Ngo of Royal Oak.

Liem Ngo and Carolyn Schwedt came from Royal Oak to Detroit for the service.

Ngo says a major reason why they came is because it was Archbishop Edward Weisenburgers first Good Friday service since he became the archbishop in Detroit back in March.

Outstanding, it was very moving and Im glad hes here, said Ngo.

Beautiful, it was a wonderful week of services and today especially very spiritual, touches your heart, said Carolyn Schwedt of Royal Oak.

Previous Report: Full interview with Detroit's next archbishop FULL INTERVIEW: Detroit's next Archbishop talks about the future and the challenges he faces

They werent the only ones moved by the archbishops words.

I felt good, I felt renewed, said Vivian Gulley of Detroit.

I would say he exceeded my expectations and I was honored to get communion from him today, said Dawn Tykoski.

There will be an Easter vigil on Saturday at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament and on Sunday, there will be Easter mass.

Father JJ Mech says he expects the pews will be filled inside the cathedral this weekend.

We have many, many new people coming to lay down their life for Christ as Catholics, they want to become Catholic and so theyll be baptized, receive confirmation and Eucharist on Saturday, said Father Mech.