North Royalton Mayor Bob Stefanik said it best.  “I think this is the biggest crowd we’ve ever had for the lighting ceremony.  Everybody looks like they’re having a great time.  It’s a festive time of year.  This is really a family event.”

Mother Nature had a lot to do with the large crowd.  Sunday, November 26, was a bright sunny day although a bit cool.  The temperature didn’t matter, though.  North Royalton families bundled up and came to the City Green to see Santa Claus arrive on the back of a North Royalton fire truck.  In addition, families saw Mayor Stefanik and the children of North Royalton flip the switch and light the 60 Christmas trees on the Green sponsored by North Royalton businesses, organizations and individuals.

The event began with the 17th Annual Christmas Parade which stepped off from the Royalwood Road exit of St. Albert the Great Church.  The parade went west on Royalwood, proceeded south on Ridge Road and ended at the City Green.

The crowds increased the closer the marchers got to the Green.  Among those watching was North Royalton Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck.

“It’s an old-fashioned way to start the holiday season,” said Marnecheck.  “It’s nice to get away from the Black Friday ads and start the Christmas season this way.”

Mike Morgan was another parade watcher along with his daughter Siena.  Mike said the cold weather “doesn’t bother me because I work in it.” But Siena disagreed. “It’s cold,” she said.   Mike said the parade “is for the kids so they can see Santa.”

Ron Hanzel brought his out-of-town family to the parade.  “They’re here from North Carolina.  It’s a great way to start the holidays with them.”

Daria Kochis said, “The parade means that Christmas is coming.”  Jennifer Berk agreed.  “This is a great way to follow up Thanksgiving.”

Tom and Eva Blasczak walked up Royalton Road Hill to see the parade and lighting ceremony. They’ve come to the lighting ceremony every year.  “It gets me in the mood.  Not a lot of communities have holiday parades like this.  I always get a sense of community, of family when I come to this event.”

The North Royalton High School Drumline led the Parade.  The North Royalton Tractor Club had a big presence as did the 2017 pageant winners from the city.

When Santa Claus climbed down from the North Royalton Fire Truck, the line waiting to greet him inside his red house was long, as children waited to get their gift requests in early.

Like most major events that take place in North Royalton, it’s a number of civic organizations that join together to make it happen.

“The Rotary Club, the Royalton Hills Lions Club, the Lions Club and the North Royalton Garden Club all pitched in to help.  So it’s a community effort,” said Mayor Stefanik.  “We are blessed in North Royalton to have several service clubs that are always helping out whether its Christmastime, summer, fall or spring.  They are always there to help.”

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI

Contributing  Writer