Fall Music Festival draws a crowd

By Dan Holland

Music, fireworks, food and fun were all elements of the first annual Broadview Heights Fall Music Festival.

The event, which took place at the community amphitheater, was sponsored by The Broadview Heights Community Foundation, Faulhaber Funeral Home and NOPEC. 

The festival kicked off at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 with a cruise-in that featured more than 25 classic and muscle cars. That evening’s music acts featured Sommer & Klann, Ray Flanagan and roots rockers Jack Fords.

Saturday’s music acts kicked off at 1 p.m., with singer Marina Strah, who was followed by Out of Order, Rachel Brown & The Beatnik Playboys and Ray Conde. Carlos Jones & The P.L.U.S. Band was the featured headlining act from 8:15-10:15 p.m., followed by fireworks.

Food truck vendors included Cleveland Cookie Dough Company, Enticing Cakes, Pizzaz Pizza, Pork in The Road, The Food Depot and The Original Steaks and Hoagies. The lineup also included a beer tent operated by Broadview Heights Spotlights Theater.

City staff workers manned a tent that distributed city calendars, flyers and other information to residents. Participants also included NOPEC and “Its Artsee Live,” owned by Broadview Heights artist Kat Sauder, who encouraged attendees to help paint a community mural of the event that will be displayed in the community center. 

Broadview Heights residents Ray and Jenni Halter walked to the event with their son Conner.

“It’s something we can do in the community that we can do with other families,” Jenni Halter said. “We enjoy being outside together in this nice weather along with all the food and fireworks. We actually didn’t know about this [event] until we saw it in the Broadview Journal – that’s the reason we’re here.”

Rosemary Sirna, of Strongsville, said she hopes the city will continue to hold the event in the coming years. She attended the festival with her grandchildren, Jasper and Adeline, and her cousin Rose Posar, who lives in Broadview Heights.

“It’s just a really good atmosphere,” she said. “The location is great and all the people as well. It’s really nice being outdoors and enjoying something like this – and it’s free, which is always a plus. It’s very family-oriented.”

Broadview Heights Mayor Sam Alai said he wants to build on the success of this year’s festival.

“Music brings people together, which is what we want to do here in the highest of heights,” said Alai. “We want to make this the best free outdoor music festival in Northeast Ohio. Next year we’re going to make it even bigger and better. It’s about bringing entertainment and nice things to the Northeast Ohio music scene. It’s just a really good vibe, and that’s what we want to offer here: a safe, friendly, warm, entertaining environment. That’s what we’re striving for, and I think we hit the nail on the head with this.” ∞