The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS
Even without rides this year, 61st annual event has been a hit with visitors
The Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival at Kirtland Schools was back in action this year on Route 306.
“This is the 61st Annual Strawberry Festival — 61 years strong,” said President of the Kirtland Kiwanis Chris Hesson. “Last year was a little bit different. We had a drivethrough, but we’re glad to be back in action with a full festival.”
Although the festival’s ride vendor was unavailable this year, the bounce house that stood in its place has been received “incredibly well,” over the course of the festival, which started Aug. 5, Hesson said.
“It has been packed. Kids have come and have had a really great time,” Hesson said. “We have a car smash, which is very new, to support the swim team. We have a. dunk tank where we’ve supported the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. That’s manned by our city councilmen, our mayor has been in there a few times, the superintendent, the principals — it has been fantastic. We have
“It has been packed. Kids have come and have had a really great time,... We have awesome food out here as well. It’s been a good time.” —Kirtland Kiwanis President Chris Hesson
awesome food out here as well. It’s been a good time.”
Roughly 10 food vendors, in addition to more than 40 vendors were in attendance this year. Aug. 5 was the festival’s best Thursday ever, Hesson said.
“Even without rides, which is usually our big draw, it was beyond what we ever could have expected,” Hesson said. “You have an incredible core within the Kiwanis who really drive this every year.”
Another big driver of the festival is the Kirtland community support, Hesson said.
“This year in particular, I think we have every club and organization in one fashion or another,” Hesson said. “We have boosters, music boosters, athletic boosters, the swim team, after prom committees — that drives this more than anything.”
A civic-minded service organization, the Kiwanis has been in the Kirtland area for quite a while, Hesson said. Their first big project was bringing a doctor to Kirtland.
Kiwanis’ main mission is focused around children, but also other aspects of the community.
“Other towns will have rotary or Lions Club. This is a Kiwanis city and we have great support from the community,” Hesson said. “We’re one of the largest clubs in Northeast Ohio with 68 members.”
An upward of 10,000 people were in attendance at the festival this week. Hesson is hoping for 20,000 by the time it’s over, he said. Food never hurts, but community is still the big draw.
The Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival at Kirtland Schools was back in action this year on Route 306.
“People come out here because they know what Kiwanis stands for, what the organizations we work with stand for and they’re here to support every aspect of the community,” Hesson said. “This is Kirtland. It’s fantastic to be a part of.” Among the attendees was Meggin Higgins-Mei, a mother to a Kirtland High School swim team member, who was working the car smash tent.
Since the festival’s start, roughly 50 people have hit
the car, Higgins-Mei said.
“This is a fundraiser for the swim team. The vehicle was donated by Lori Smul, a State Farm agent,” HigginsMei said. “It was in perfect condition almost when it was donated and we are raising funds by allowing people to smash the car. It’s $5 for three swings.”
“I think it’s fantastic that Kirtland continues this tradition and I’m glad that even though they couldn’t do it in June, that we did it in August,” Higgins-Mei
continued.
Another vendor was Marcie Vermilye, alongside Lynette Ellis and Lindsey Hesson, who all ran the Kirtland Hornets football spirit apparel tent.
“We come to this festival every year to outfit people with all kinds of Kirtland Hornets spirit wear,” Vermilye said.
The festival is an event that continues to bring everyone together from Kirtland and even those from surrounding communities, Vermilye said.
“People have fun, and they come and see all of the things that Kirtland businesses have to offer, as well as the school,” Vermilye said. “The sales we’ve had in the last two and a half days — it’s been off the charts. We’ve never had business like this.”
Vermilye’s favorite part of the festival are the people and their excitement for Kirtland, and the upcoming football season.
“The community support behind our school sports is amazing,” Vermilye said.