The 136th Annual North Royalton Community Festival was scheduled to be held August 21, 22 and 23. Because of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic crisis, however, the decision has been made to cancel the event.
This annual community celebration will be missed by the thousands who came to the City Green to enjoy the rides, entertainment, parade, and carnival food, but most of all the shared friendship.
“This was a very difficult decision, knowing how profoundly the canceling of the festival impacts not only the City and Chamber of Commerce, but also the participating vendors, local businesses, ride company, musicians and the North Royalton community as a whole,” said 2019 Festival Chairperson, Maria Magnelli.
Following a discussion between Chamber and City officials, it was decided that it would not be possible to properly plan the event in a way that will abide by the recommended social distancing requirements currently in place by State officials. Playing a major role in the decision to cancel were the health and safety of everyone involved in bringing together all the aspects of putting together the festival. There are hundreds of elements to be considered in producing the festival beginning as early at February, from bringing in vendors and exhibitors, organizing the entertainment for each day, planning and executing the parade, putting together a fireworks show, etc. It is not something that can be done properly in a few weeks’ time.
“The festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring a community together and to create memories that last forever! The decision to suspend the festival to 2021 was based on the safety, health and wellbeing of our residents,” said Chamber President, Aldo Filippelli.
“It was a very difficult decision to cancel our longstanding summer tradition, the North Royalton Community Festival. There were simply too many uncertainties surrounding public gatherings, as well as financial burdens for our vendors. I know, personally, it’s one of my favorite events of the year, and something my family looks forward to. Hopefully if state restrictions are eventually lessened, the City and Chamber of Commerce can plan an event, so we can reunite as a community in the fall. I know we are all eager to return to normalcy,” added Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz.
Last year was a banner year for the 135th Community Festival. Hopefully this Coronavirus crisis will be long behind us by 2021, and we can move forward to produce the best North Royalton Community Festival ever!