Zucchini Festival returns July 31

9th annual event in Chardon Square to feature zucchini dish bake-off, family-friendly activities

Summertime is the peak season to harvest and enjoy fresh zucchini, and attendees of the ninth annual Chardon Zucchini Festival will be able to do just that.

The Zucchini Festival will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 31 in Chardon Town Square.

It’s presented by the Emerald Rose Corporation, a nonprofit organization based in Chardon and aimed at expanding services and advocating for those who suffer from mental illnesses.

Donations raised will go toward supporting the organization’s Emerald Woods therapeutic residential facility.

The festival is free to attend and will feature food, live music and educational speakers.

Mary Bramstedt, a volunteer for the festival, said the event should be fun for all ages while raising awareness for the work Emerald Rose is conducting in the field of mental health.

Mary Bramstedt, a volunteer for the festival, said the event should be fun for all ages while raising awareness for the work Emerald Rose is conducting in the field of mental health.

“This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to promote mental health and to increase coping and life skills,” she noted.

Bramstedt said the event will also feature a craft vendor marketplace — which is free for vendors to come to show off their goods

No deposit is required to set up a booth.

“They want it to fill up, so they’re providing freedom for them to come with no fee,” she said.

Following a festival tradition, there will be a zucchini dish bake-off contest. Bramstedt said all are welcome to share their favorite zucchini-themed recipes, such as zucchini bread, but the dish must be hot and ready by 1:30 p.m., when judging will begin.

Bramstedt added that masks will not be required for the festival, but people will be encouraged to still social distance and maintain safe hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Bake-of f registration forms can be found emeraldrose.org/zucchini-festival.