It’s that time of year when the weather is starting to turn, crops are ready to be harvested and North Royalton is preparing to celebrate.

The celebration will take place on Saturday, September 22, and Sunday, September 23.  The Farm Tour and the Harvest Fest are events that all residents of North Royalton should visit.

Residents are invited to check out and support what many city leaders have called the six ‘hidden gems’ of North Royalton. These ‘hidden gems’ are the six farms or fresh food stores in North Royalton that allow you to bring fresh fruits and vegetables from their fields straight to your kitchen table.

The six are Cossel Farms, Grace Brothers, Heavenly Hill Farm, Purple Skies Farm, Royalton Farms and Romano’s Farmers Market and Deli.

Check out the map on this page to see where these six ‘hidden gems’ are located.

City and business leaders hope that you will take the time and visit these six locations on a “self-guided” farm tour on Saturday, September 22.

On the next day, Sunday, September 23, the 16th annual Harvest Fest will be held on the City Green, located in the triangle between Ridge, Royalton and Bennett Roads.  The event will run between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.  It will be held rain or shine.  Admission and parking are free.  The event is sponsored by the Holiday Lighting Committee.

Organizers of the Harvest Fest describe the event as “old-fashioned” fun.  There will be plenty to do for mom and dad, grandma and grandpa and the kids.

Among the activities planned include a children’s maze, a petting farm, pumpkins, an antique tractor display, educational and children’s activities.  One of the most popular activities is to have your children or grandchildren paint a face on a pumpkin.  From past years, some of their face designs will really surprise you.

A number of the service organizations in North Royalton will be on hand with some delicious items to sell.  Among them the North Royalton Firefighters will have their “firehouse” chili to sell, the Rotary Club will have their kielbasa and sauerkraut available, the North Royalton Lions Club, the Tractor Club, the 4-H Town and Country group and the Garden Club will also be on hand.  Plus, North Royalton city officials will have their grill and kitchen utensils ready.

Another highlight of the Harvest Fest is the “Do-Do Drop.”  At the end of the day, everyone gathers around a 40-foot by 60-foot fenced in area waiting for a cow to “do its business.”  If you pick the lucky square on the “checkerboard” when nature calls for the cow, you could win a cash prize.  Tickets are $5.00 for each square.

Proceeds from the Harvest Fest are used to ensure that holiday lighting displays will grace North Royalton municipal buildings and the City Green.

The Holiday Lighting Committee also sponsors the annual Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Parade on Sunday, November 25.

Mark your calendars on September 22 and 23 for the Farm Tour and the Harvest Fest right here in North Royalton.

North Royalton Farms Participating in Farm Tour on Saturday, September 22

Cossel Farms

Cossel Farms has a Farmer’s Market located at the corner of York and Bennett.  The North Royalton location is open every day from 11am to 6 pm until Halloween. You can reach Cossel Farms at 440-237-8565.  Check out their Facebook page at Cossel Farms.  Or you can visit their Web Page at www.cosselfarms.com

Grace Brothers Nursery

If you are driving on Ridge Road on a Friday afternoon between late spring and autumn, the Grace Brothers parking lot at 12905 Ridge Road is filled with customers who are involved in their CSA Program.  CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.

Grace also carries bird seed, corn, chicken feed, feed for horses and they have fresh eggs.  Grace Brothers still has lots of trees, shrubs, mulch and soil at their North Royalton location.

For more information, call Grace Brothers at 440-237-2577 or visit their website at www.gracebrosnursery.com.

Heavenly Hill Farm

Located at 18373 State Road, Heavenly Hill Farm has an orchard filled will trees that grow different types of apples.  You can go into the orchard to pick your own apples or you can buy apples from their market store located on site.

Heavenly Hill Farm is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except for Monday.  You can visit their Facebook page @Heavenly Hill Farm.  Their phone number is 440-237-8708.

Purple Skies Farm

Located at 18802 State Road, at the apex of the curve, David Duane and his wife Visar started their 19-plus acre farm over seven years ago.

For more information, you can visit their website at www.purpleskiesfarm.com or call 440-665-0221.  During the summer, their hours are 5-to-8 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekends.  During the winter, Purple Skies are open via appointment.

Romano’s Farmers Market and Deli

Frank Romano knows fresh foods and fresh produce.  Twelve years ago, Frank opened Romano’s Farmers Market and Deli at 8875 Ridge Road in North Royalton.

Romano’s is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  You can visit their web site at www.romanosfreshmarket.com.

Royalton Farms

Royalton Farms grows 15 different varieties of apples on their farm at the corner of State Road and the Metropolitan Parkway.  The exact address is 16393 State Road.

The market barn is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.  They are closed on Mondays.

Royalton Farms also carries cornstalks, pumpkins, fruit butters, baking mixes, honey and more.  On the fruit and vegetable front, Royalton Farms has tomatoes, peaches, plums, pumpkins, peppers, potatoes, onions and more.

For more information, visit their All-New website at www.royalton-farms.com  (Remember to include the dash).  Visit their Facebook Page @Royalton Farms; call them at 440-759-5607 or email at royaltonfarms@gmail.com.

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer