It takes many helping hands to make the magic happen at Christmastime, and thankfully, there are numerous “elves” working hard to spread holiday cheer in North Royalton.
Members of the North Royalton Holiday Lighting Committee, the Royalton Hills Lions Club and the City Administration once again helped the City Green come alive as part of the Holiday Lighting and Christmas Parade, a community tradition nearly 20 years in the making.
The annual event, which always occurs the Sunday after Thanksgiving, took place Dec. 1 with an eager crowd enjoying festive floats, visits with Santa, a commemorative gift, free hot cocoa and donuts, special performances by members of the North Royalton High School Drumline and flag corps and a turn with Mayor Robert Stefanik and members of City Council “flipping the switch” to illuminate the City Green and officially kick off the Christmas season. To add to the fun, Stefanik also invited all the children gathered to join him atop the gazebo steps. This year marked Mayor Stefanik’s final Holiday Lighting and Parade event as he wraps up his final term as mayor.
“It’s always special to see families with their young children enjoying the kick-off to the holiday season,” Stefanik said. “Knowing that this is my last official public event makes it extra special.”
This year’s holiday lighting display is also bigger and brighter than ever thanks to a grant from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) Energized Community (NEC) Grant Program totaling $121,350. Those gathered Dec. 1 for the Holiday Lighting and Christmas Parade were among the first to see the brilliant new city lights display that includes individualized winter scenes like ice skaters, snowmen and a train. LED lights also line each city building.
“We love seeing the City Green so beautiful to start the holidays, and this year will be so great,” said Geneva Prince, a member of the Holiday Lighting Committee. “Santa will be very proud of all our hard work and North Royalton will shine.”
As is tradition, Santa Claus arrived by fire truck in the parade route, getting off at the City Green to visit with children and hear their Christmas wishes. Following their visit, each child received a bear and chocolate bar. For many local families, attending the annual Holiday Lighting and Christmas Parade is how they officially kick off the Christmas season.
“This is such a sweet thing to do for the children,” said resident Kristen Kaspar, who attended the event alongside her husband, Justin, and their children, Gabriel and Moses. “It’s such a nice thing for the kids to be able to see Santa and walk right up to him and visit with him. The hot chocolate is great, and the City Green looks wonderful. Thanks to everyone who helps put this on. It really is a nice community tradition.”
Incoming Mayor-elect Larry Antoskiewicz, who currently serves as City Council President, said he enjoys the opportunity to ring in the season with residents.
“Even though I don’t officially start till Jan. 1st, this event allows me to share the beginning of the holiday season with the residents and reflect on past years and the opportunities moving forward,” Antoskiewicz said. “I hope the new lighting will bring a new excitement to the City and a renewed interest in the improvements that have been started and will continue moving forward.”
North Royalton High School Sophomore and Drumline member Gavin Cozzens marked his second year performing in the Holiday Parade.
“I love being with the drumline and performing together,” he said in between performances. “We have a lot of fun together.”
Kylie Kent, 5, was among the many young children lined up to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. She was hoping to ask Santa for a pink instant Polaroid camera.
“Our favorite part of the night is watching the parade and seeing Santa come down from the fire truck,” said Kylie’s mom, Kristen.
And speaking of Santa Claus, the big man himself even gave an interview to the Royalton Recorder, a rarity this time of year due to his hectic travel and work schedule.
“I was up in Michigan yesterday,” Santa coyly remarked, possibly referring to Michigan’s tough loss of 56-27 against Ohio State on Nov. 30. “I was worried about the weather, but I made it. I love watching the kids’ faces light up. I’ve been making this one of my stops for 15 years. I was adopted into it by retired Fire Chief Michael Fabish, who told me how much power I had to bring cheer to all the children on the City Green. It really is true, how much their faces just beam.”
Mrs. Claus stood proudly by, greeting children and noting how wonderful Santa is with all the visiting children.
The friendly faces of the Royalton Hills Lions Club served up free hot cocoa and donuts from inside “Judy’s Café,” the little green house that lines the City Green each year. Temperatures dipped into the 40s during the event with a biting cold wind that made the hot chocolate even more appreciated.
The North Royalton Historical Society also opened its doors for the event, serving up coffee, tea, apple cider and cookies donated by Michael’s Bakery, said Georgia Viehbeck, who serves as treasurer. She is also a member of the North Royalton Holiday Lighting Committee and shed light on how much work goes into the yearly seasonal event.
“As a member of the Holiday Lighting Committee, I help out whenever I can. Again, they have just a few dedicated members doing so much for this community to make sure there are lights during the holidays,” Viehbeck said. “The Harvest Fest is the main fund raiser and as a result of that event, they have been able to keep the lights on. In conjunction with the City and other groups, it is a concerted effort every year to keep funds coming in to support the Holiday Lights. This year the city was honored to receive a grant to give the holiday lighting event a boost. With new lights and upgraded decor, the City Green will take on a new glow this holiday season. These new lights and decor do not replace the Holiday Lighting Committee. They still have a lot of work to do maintaining the other Holiday Houses on the Green and organizing the parade and lighting ceremony. Coordination of these various aspects to this single event is much more than people realize. If there was more help, it would be a lot easier on all.”
She noted that while volunteering with various civic groups does take a commitment, it doesn’t take a lot of time.
“We encourage our residents to get involved with the city groups whenever they can help,” Viehbeck said. “It is more fun with more people involved. We love having kids donate their insight and time as well.”
The annual lighting of the City Green got off the ground in 1998 when residents Tony Sandora, Tom Fashempour and Tom Koch put in $100 each to purchase lights to decorate the large pine tree in front of the old City Hall. For three years Gregory Caniglia donated the use of his high lift bucket truck to decorate it, Sandora explained.
“In 2001, Mayor Cathy Luks enthusiastically supported our idea to expand the lighting of the City Green which necessitated installing underground wiring,” Sandora said. “With a donation from Council President Ed McGrath and his wife Lois and donated labor and equipment from others, this was accomplished. Subsequently, the North Royalton Holiday Lighting Committee was formed with Lois McGrath as the first chairperson. One of our first tasks was the construction of the Santa and hot chocolate houses. A mailbox for letters to Santa was put in place. In 2002, we started the Harvest Fest to help fund the trees, lights and all displays on municipal buildings used in the holiday lighting. When Lois stepped down, Camile Price became chairperson and bookkeeper of the committee, followed in the last few years by Gail Holzman as chairperson and Neil Sheeley as bookkeeper. The Rotary Club’s Geneva Prince organized the Christmas parade with Santa chauffeured on a fire truck. Gaby and Zenith Sobczak annually donated the large tree lit up in the gazebo. The North Royalton Lady Lions volunteered their time and resources handing out hot chocolate and doughnuts following the parade.”
The police, fire and recreation departments have also lent a helping hand, along with many community volunteers and committee members.
Thank you to all the “elves” who have a hand in helping spreading Christmas cheer to residents!
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer