After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we are back and gearing up for the 136th annual North Royalton Community Festival to be held August 26, 27, and 28 on the City Green at the corner of Ridge and Royalton Roads. Hours are 6 – 11 p.m. on Friday; noon-11 p.m. on Saturday; and noon – 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Entertainment is lined up at the gazebo stage for the enjoyment of visitors all weekend long. Friday night’s entertainment will kick off with the very popular teen band, “Invasion”, followed by “The Project” and ending with DJ music. The Invasion Band, a talented group of teens, will get things started. Members of this group are all from the Cleveland area. “The Project” plays the songs you want to hear and remember! Based in Cleveland, “The Project” has amassed a great following. Steve Henley plays Lead Vocal/Guitar; Russ Lakatos is on Bass Guitar/Vocals; and Todd Ashley is on Guitar, Lead Guitar.
Saturday evening will present “Sixth Dimension” before the main event, “The Carnival Band.” “Sixth Dimension” was a finalist in the 2022 High School Rock Off. This band is already planning and preparing to win the High School Rock Off in 2023! “The Carnival Band” is a five-piece group with Sax, Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocalist. They perform pop, dance, music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
Logan Wells will take the stage on Sunday evening at 4:30 p.m. Logan has performed professionally for more than 25 years. She has played a wide variety of venues – headlining her own public concert appearances at community events, fairs, festivals, as well as sharing the stage with many notable performers. “Eddie & the Edsels” is our headliner on Sunday evening. Band members are Bill Morris (guitar, and vocals), Dan Morris (keyboards, bass and vocals), Tristan Morris (drums, guitar, vocals) and Nancy Sias (vocals and saxophone). With two Las Vegas style shows and a huge repertoire of songs, they have performed shows at the Palace and State Theatres.
In addition to all the bands, there will be a variety of other groups performing, including local dance companies, singers, and more. The Academy of Irish Dance Company has been the only Irish dance school to ever bring back World Champion winning team titles in Columbus and Cleveland Irish dance history! Check the schedule of events for all entertainment and times. Come every day and enjoy it all. Entertainment sponsors are Southwest General, Gross Residential, U H Parma Medical Center and Royalton Recorder.
Come on by all three days and try the yummy festival foods! We have a wide assortment of tempting foods that will be available for every taste. Ethnic as well as American dishes will tickle your taste buds. Enjoy an authentic Greek gyro and hummus with pita chips, or a tasty Italian sausage sandwich, hotdogs, French fries, corn dogs, fried veggies, cheese on a stick, ice cream, and the list goes on. For dessert, a funnel cake, deep fried oreo or elephant ear is a must, and, of course, on a hot day a cup of freshly-squeezed lemonade will quench your thirst or maybe a flavored shaved ice. These are just a few of the food offerings you’ll find at the festival. Come and try something different every day. The Hospitality Tent is a great place to enjoy your meal while watching the live entertainment at the gazebo stage.
There will be Exhibitor tents with area businesses and civic organizations so stop by, visit their tables and learn about the products and services they offer. Club members will be happy to share the projects their groups are working on to help our community.
The Festival Parade is one of the top highlights of the North Royalton Community Festival and is always very entertaining. It will include floats, vehicles, dance groups, and, of course, the awesome North Royalton High School marching band! It will step off at 3 p.m., so come early and pick a spot to sit and watch. CERT members will be along the parade route keeping a watchful eye. The Festival Parade is sponsored by the Tri-C Western Campus.
Once again this year, fireworks will return to the festival, as the grand finale on Sunday evening. The show will begin at dusk. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, have something to eat, and listen to the music. Before you know it, the fantastic fireworks display will begin.
The North Royalton Chamber of Commerce is proud to organize and sponsor this special annual event for the community. It takes months of planning and coordinating by the Chamber of Commerce, city officials, police and fire departments, and volunteers, to make this weekend run smoothly. We love to see our residents come together for a fun weekend with friends and family. It is the best way to spend one of the final weekends of summer. Come and enjoy the 136th annual Community Festival, with the live entertainment, rides, games, food, parade and fireworks. Bring your family and friends and join us on the City Green on August 26-28 for the 136th annual North Royalton Community Festival.
See Community Festival Schedule of Events on page 15.
By MARIA MAGNELLI
Recorder Editor