Annual Fall Fest continues to be a family favorite

by Dan Holland

The city’s sixth annual Fall Fest, held on the afternoon of Sept. 26 on the city campus at the Broadview Heights amphitheater, drew more than 2,000 area residents on a sunny autumn day.

The family-friendly event, sponsored by the parks and recreation department, featured a family photo station, petting zoo, inflatables, games and prizes. There was also a live DJ, hayrides courtesy of Luther’s Farm Market, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating and face painting tent, a balloon tent and food trucks.

More than 2,000 residents visited the annual Fall Fest on city campus this year.

Ryan Meyer, the city’s assistant director of parks and recreation, highlighted the attractions of the event, which was moved outdoors in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year, we added a petting zoo, which is something new,” said Meyer. “We also have a couple of new inflatables, the photo booth and hayrides, and we have all of our food vendors, including Brain Freeze, Lanie’s Lemonade, Frosty Gator, Luther’s Farm Market and Antonio’s.”

“Luther’s is a big part of this every year; they do the hayrides, the mums and the small pumpkins in our pumpkin patch,” he added. “And, we couldn’t ask for a better weather day than today.”

Meyer attended the event with wife Jennifer and children Jaden and Gwenevere.

“We love everything about Fall Fest,” said Jennifer Meyer. “We love the inflatables; we had fun on the hay ride, and the pumpkin patch was great with a wonderful variety of pumpkins this year. This is the sixth year that we’ve been coming to this.”

The Widener family of North Royalton made a return trip to the event this year.

“We’ve been to this in years past; I like that it’s free and close by,” said Sandy Widener, who attended with children Samuel, 6, and Emily, 3. “The pumpkin decorating and face painting is the kids’ favorite event. Everything is great – the bounce houses, the petting zoo – it’s a good variety of activities to keep the kids busy.”

The Driscoll family of Parma Heights enjoyed picking pumpkins. They attended for the first time after seeing the event posted on Facebook.

“It’s a picture-perfect day today with the weather, and we love all the friendly people,” said Sam Driscoll, who attended with wife Julie and kids Millie, Sophia and Isabella. “It’s very family-oriented with a lot of fun activities for all the kids to participate in.”

Matt Wiswell, who grew up in Broadview Heights and now lives in Richfield, enjoyed time in the petting zoo with two-year-old son Jess. “He’s really enjoying the petting zoo, the inflatable bounce houses, and he’s looking forward to hearing some music from the DJ.”

BHPD Sgt. Rich Giles and K-9 Chase pose with Giles’ daughter, Charlotte, 5, and Savannah Lucas, 7, daughter of BHPD Patrolman Matt Lucas.

Broadview Heights residents Doug and Brandi Kast started off by having a photo taken in the photo station with two-year-old daughter Elliana.

“We came here last year and wanted to come out and enjoy it again,” said Doug Kast. “She really enjoys dancing with the DJ, the pumpkin patch, ice cream, the petting zoo and the bouncy house.”

Photo caption: Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Meyer visits the pumpkin patch with with his wife, Jennifer, and their children Jaden, 6, and Gwenevere, 4.