Fall Fest returns as an annual family favorite
by Dan Holland
The third-annual Broadview Heights Fall Fest, held Sept. 30 from noon-3 p.m. at the city amphitheater, drew a record crowd of more than 2,000 attendees, according to Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Ryan Meyer.
The free event featured a DJ, family photo station, prizes, games, hay rides courtesy of Luther’s Farm Market, a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin decorating and face painting tent, inflatables and food trucks.
“We just want to bring the whole community together,” said Meyer. “We used to hold the event indoors, but now it’s outdoors. We have the inflatables, and the bungee jump is new this year. We’re doing decorate your own pumpkin, face painting, hayrides, and there are multiple food trucks. This year we also added a couple of coffee trucks.”
“This is a fun way to kick off the fall season right before a lot of our fall programs start,” he added. “People can come out and say ‘hi’ to their neighbors and still catch the college football games.”
Amanda McGrath of Hinckley brought her sons Carter and Mason, ages 2 and 9, to the event.
“Any kind of fall fun with the family is something I look forward to all year,” she said. “This is a really great event.”
Brooke Jividen of Broadview Heights brought her daughters, Sadie, Lyla and Donna, to the event for the second consecutive year.
“This is a very fun event. We came out last year and the kids loved it,” she said. “My daughters really love the inflatables – it’s just a fun time.”
Brecksville residents Dan and Jessica Grunewald took in the fun with their children, Leena and Owen.
“They really love to do the pumpkin decorating, and I love being able to get a family photo up front,” said Jessica Grunewald. “We were at Luther Farms last weekend and did the hayrides there, and we will do it again here. The kids also really like the food and the bounce house.”
Rick and Tarra Ksiazka of North Royalton took part in pumpkin decorating with children, Charlie and Olive.
“We’re just really enjoying the nice weather today and getting out with the kids and spending the day with them,” said Tarra Ksiazka.
Food vendors on hand included Southern Thangs, Real Chefs’ Food Truck, The Original Steak and Hoagies and Generous Java.
North Royalton residents Olivia Tormento, with daughters Zoey and Cidney take in the food samplings along with Sarah Nuggud and her daughters Maya and Meera. Photos by D. Holland.
Carter and Mason McGrath of Hinckley pose in the pumpkin patch.
Dan and Jessica Grunewald of Brecksville and their children, Leena and Owen, decorate pumpkins.
Children of all ages were invited to decorate pumpkins with markers and paint.
On our cover (photo): The annual Broadview Heights Fall Fest drew more than 2,000 attendees this year, including Brooke Jividen of Broadview Heights and her daughters, Sadie, Lyla and Donna. Photo by D. Holland.