The annual Harvest Fest on the North Royalton City Green was a bit “unusual” this year.
Let’s start with the weather. The high temperature on Sunday, September 24, Harvest Fest Sunday, was 93 degrees, a record high. Camille Price, the chairperson of the Harvest Fest said, “I can remember plenty of years when I would wear a jacket or a winter coat for the Harvest Fest, especially early in the morning. We’ve never experienced anything like this heat.” But, in the past 13 years, the Harvest Fest has never been rained out.
There was a demand for North Royalton Mayor Bob Stefanik and Council President Larry Antoskiewicz’ famous fried bologna sandwiches even before the “gates opened.” Mayor Stefanik said, “we were getting set up and a gentleman walked up and wanted six sandwiches. That was a first.”
There was a new cow for the traditional “do-do drop” contest. The new cow is a one-year old Brown Swiss breed named “Janie.”
Making their first appearance at the Harvest Fest was the Partnership for a Healthy North Royalton. The young people in the booth were serving S’mores, to the delight of all. Coalition Director Amy Kuntz said their booth “helps to promote positive choices for all, especially high school students. We want to encourage them to stay away from alcohol, tobacco and drugs.”
While there were some new aspects to the Harvest Fest this year, the long-standing traditions of the event continued.
The tradition dates back to when farms dominated the North Royalton landscape, dirt roads were commonplace and social media was talking with your neighbor over the fence. Farmers would celebrate the harvest with their neighbors with food, music and dance.
The newer tradition of the Harvest Fest has pumpkin painting for the kids, a petting zoo, a maze and various civic organizations cooking goodies for those who wander by.
Camille Price says there were more vendors at this year’s Harvest Fest than last year. “The Harvest Fest is now listed in the Ohio Festival Booklet, which allows crafters to plan their schedules for the year. That has been a huge help.”
Money raised from the Harvest Fest takes care of two needs. First, funds are used for the holiday lighting displays that illuminate North Royalton municipal buildings. The broken and burned out lights are replaced and any necessary repairs to the light strands are done. Secondly, proceeds help the North Royalton food bank.
The North Royalton Rotary Club has been at every Harvest Fest held on the City Green, selling kielbasa and sauerkraut. “People still love it (the kielbasa and kraut). It’s all about community. That’s why we’re here,” said Rich Cervenak, immediate past president of the North Royalton Rotary.
At the end of the day, the Harvest Fest is about people. It gives North Royalton residents a chance to take a couple of hours out of their day to relax with their children or visit with their neighbors.
The Price family was heading to grandma’s house, passed the City Green and decided to stop. “It looked interesting.”
Rebecca Crew brought her two children to the Harvest Fest. “We come every year. The signs and the Royalton Recorder reminded us when it was.”
Save the date, the last Sunday in September, and join us for the 2018 Harvest Fest in North Royalton.

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer