By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer
We may want to ignore it, but there are signs that autumn is just around the corner. The beautiful colors show that the season of fall is ready to explode. Orange pumpkins are starting to appear. The green leaves of summer are turning into browns, reds and yellows. Days are getting shorter. In North Royalton, there’s one other noticeable sign that autumn is near. It’s Harvest Fest Time.
Years ago when agriculture dominated the landscape of North Royalton, gatherings like this would take place at a farmer’s home where food would be served, games would be played and there would be music for all. If you fast forward to 2014, you’ll see the same type of events on Sunday, September 21, when this year’s Harvest Festival takes place on the City Green. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 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 for families,” says Camille Price, the chairperson of this year’s event. “There’s plenty to see and do for everyone from young children to moms and dads.”
Service clubs in North Royalton came together over ten years ago to make the Harvest Festival 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, North Royalton Lions Club, the 4-H Homesteaders and the Holiday Lighting Committee. If you’re planning to come, be sure to come hungry. There will be plenty of homemade foods for sale. Included on the menu is homemade bakery, kielbasa and sauerkraut, cabbage and noodles, corn on the cob, pizza and Sloppy Joes. Back after a year’s absence at the Harvest Fest and manning a food booth will be North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik. His food specialty is a fried bologna sandwich.
Price said, “we’re glad to have the Mayor back. He sold out of sandwiches two years ago. We hope he has the same success this year.” The Harvest Fest also serves as a bridge to another season of the year, that being winter. Dollars raised from the Harvest Festival will be used to ensure that the Christmas Lighting display will once again grace the City Green. “Broken or burned out Christmas lights have to be replaced every year and wires have to be fixed,” said Price.
Another highlight of this year’s Harvest Fest is the ever popular “Do Do Drop.” Spectators will be gathered around a 40 x 60 foot fenced area waiting for the guest of the day, a cow, to do its “duty.” If you can pick that lucky spot when nature calls, you could win a cash prize of $500. Tickets are available by calling 440.582.4144 or 440.237.7609.
If we haven’t convinced you yet to circle Sunday, September 21, on your calendar, here are a few more teasers.
You can get up-close and personal with animals at the 4-H Club’s petting zoo, see how farm machinery has changed throughout the years by a display of tractors, a dance contest will be held, and there will be music by teenage DJ Gus Ruggiero of Big Gus Productions, Come and relax with some old-fashioned fun at the 2014 Harvest Festival at the North Royalton City Green.