Whether it is the funnel cakes, the carnival games, the children’s rides, the parade, fireworks or simply the time with family, attending the Community Festival, organized and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, is always a cherished way for residents to close out another wonderful summer in North Royalton. This summer was even more special as the city marked its 200th birthday and 134th annual festival.
“The excitement building up to the Bicentennial Community Festival was capped off with a weekend of perfect weather, another great parade and a fantastic grand finale fireworks display to close out the events,” said Mayor Bob Stefanik.
“I moved here five years ago, and it was the best thing I ever did,” said festival-goer Theresa Antal alongside her 10-year-old son Lucas. “It’s the most welcoming community and all the events are always such a pleasure to go to.”
Festivities kicked off Aug. 10 on the City Green with an opening ceremony, followed by a variety of carnival activities and special musical performances by vocalists and teen bands to dance companies, fencing and martial arts demos, to headline bands like Spina & Sullivan, Swamp Boogie Band and Eddie & the Edsels, entertaining throughout the weekend. Thousands came out over the three-day event to enjoy an array of foods and special treats, visits with exhibitors to learn about local news and services, thrilling carnival rides and games and a lively parade featuring about 60 displays including City Council members to the North Royalton High School Marching Band to regional government officials to local businesses like Kona Ice and Midwest Cheer & Dance Elite. The Community Festival concluded at dusk on Sunday, Aug. 12, with a breathtaking fireworks display.
Residents Tonya and Brent Pagel have been going to the Community Festival for years and celebrate the city in every way possible.
“We love the schools and the athletics and, of course, we have our favorites like the Shake Shoppe and Mr. Divots, which is actually where we had our first date. I think I still have the scorecard somewhere from our game of mini golf,” Tonya said. “It’s just a wonderful community with wonderful memories.”
Members of the North Royalton Police Department set up an exhibitors table, and Det. David Sword demonstrated the remote-operated robot. Others like Howard Hanna, Elite Family Chiropractic, the North Royalton Alumni Association, the Community Emergency Response Team, and handfuls more, distributed literature and treat bags to passers-by containing logoed items. Exhibitors also held special contests and promotions on various services.
“I’ve enjoyed really seeing the community grow and change over the years, even our intersections are different and changing,” said North Royalton Police Lt. Keith Tarase from his police department exhibitor table. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
North Royalton High School juniors Samantha Felixson and Claudia Lesise took in the festival sites and settled on some carnival food at a picnic table.
“I’ve really enjoyed coming to the festival more ever since I joined marching band,” Lesise said.
The teens marched along the Ridge Road parade route with dozens of others in the NRHS Marching Band. Their spirited performance is always a parade favorite.
For Felixson, it was the time with friends before the start of school and the variety of yummy carnival foods.
“I love the funnel cake,” she said.
Grandmother Kathy Mindala walked the City Green with her husband and grandchildren.
“This is one of the nicest events and one we look forward to year after year,” she said. “I would say we’ve been coming ever since we moved to North Royalton, so more than 30 years. I love seeing the grandkids enjoy all the rides.”
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer