MANITOWOC – It’s been a big year for local celebrity Charlie Berens, famous for his “Manitowoc Minute” online videos, and he just added another feather to his hat, yah der.

Berens performed to a sold-out audience at the Capitol Civic Centre on Wednesday, but the night wasn’t over when the applause died down.

Instead, Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels came on stage to give comedian Berens the key to the city. Pretty neat, ain’t so?

“Manitowoc has been in the spotlight for a few years because of Netflix,” Nickels said, referring to the “Making of Murderer” series about Steven Avery. “Charlie brings joy and laughter, and a sigh of relief after that. He brings a little lightness.”

Elm Grove-born, Los Angeles-based Berens told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he struggled with his Wisconsin accent as a broadcaster before doubling down for “Minute.”

Launched in June and posted each Monday, each episode of the satirical news segment — filled with ridiculous Wisconsin-inspired phrases and a “(expletive) the Bears” sign off — has been viewed between 400,000 and 1.1 million times total.

“We’re Wisconsinites,” Nickels said. “We get it. It’s fun. I think the fact he filled two sold-out shows at the Civic Center shows people enjoy it.”

The mayor said he hands out a key to the city about two or three times a year, recognizing folks who make a difference.

“What I (told) Charlie, is that now that he has a key to city, he’s always welcome back,” Nickels said.

After the performance, Berens also auctioned off an oil painting of the mayor, with proceeds to go to In Courage, the Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center.