In just a few days it will be time to celebrate this year’s harvest of fruits and vegetables in North Royalton. It’s an event that has been taking place in North Royalton ever since there was a North Royalton.
The celebration will be spread out over two days Saturday. September 23, and Sunday, September 24.
North Royalton Mayor Bob Stefanik said residents are being encouraged to check out and support the farmers markets and farms that are located within the city limits on Saturday. The Mayor refers to the six locations as the “hidden gems” of the city.
The six farms open for the tour on Saturday, September 23, are: Royalton Farms, 16393 State Road, Heavenly Hill Farm, 18373 State Road, Purple Skies Farm, 18802 State Road, Cossel Farms, 15981 York Road, Grace Brothers 12905 Ridge Road and Romano’s Farmers Market and Deli, 8875 Ridge Road. Visit during each farm’s hours of operation.
On Sunday, September 24, the 13th annual Harvest Fest will take place on the City Green between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. It will be held rain or shine. Admission and parking are free. Parking is available at North Royalton High School.
“The event is really designed for families with younger children,” said Camille Price, a member of the Holiday Lighting Committee. “There’s plenty to do for youngsters, parents and grandparents.” For the kids, there will be face painters, a booth where the kids can paint a pumpkin, enjoy a petting zoo and run around a maze.
Money raised from the Harvest Fest is for the holiday lighting displays that will grace North Royalton municipal buildings throughout the city. “The money raised will be used to replace broken and burned out lights on the displays on municipal buildings and make any necessary repairs,” said Price. In years past, profits from the Harvest Fest were used to purchase holiday lighting displays at City Hall.
The Holiday Lighting Committee also sponsors the annual Lighting Ceremony and Parade which is scheduled for Sunday, November 26.
Non-profit groups and service clubs in North Royalton joined forces 13 years ago to make the Harvest Fest a reality. Among those groups are the Rotary Club of North Royalton-Broadview Heights, the Garden Club, the Royalton Hills Lions Club, the Tractor Club, the North Royalton Lions Club and the 4-H Homesteaders.
Bring your appetite with you when you come to the Harvest Festival. Among some of the items on the menu is homemade bakery, kielbasa and sauerkraut, the North Royalton Fire Department’s famous chili, cabbage and noodles, corn on the cob, and pizza.
Another highlight of the Harvest Fest is the “Do Do Drop.” At the end of the day’s events, spectators gather around a 40 x 60-foot fenced-in area waiting for a cow to do its “business.” If you can pick the lucky square on the “checkerboard” when nature calls for the cow, you could win a cash prize.
Sound like Fun? It Is!
Join us for the two-day Farm Tour and Harvest Festival on the City Green.
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer
Ed. Note: Farm Tour Map and more information in Sept. 21 Recorder.