Broadview Heights Home Days brings three days of food, festivities and fun

by Dan Holland

Thousands of area residents flooded into the Broadview Heights city campus to take part in Home Days, held July 6-9. The annual event offered food, rides and attractions, live entertainment, three fireworks shows and more.

The event, sponsored by 25 local businesses and organizations, included 12 food trucks/booths, 25 area booths featuring a variety of businesses, organizations and individuals, and a dozen amusement rides provided by Big O Entertainment. Fireworks shows took place Thursday through Saturday with the main show on Saturday night lasting close to 30 minutes.

A number of events geared toward the younger crowd included magician/illusionist Rick Smith Jr., a petting zoo, caricature artist, gem mining and more. Other attractions included Mayor Sam Alai’s 5K run & 1-mile walk and Dances of India. A spinning wheel demonstration, blacksmith and police dog demonstration by the Broadview Heights Police Department rounded out the weekend attractions.

The annual Pick-a-Prize event tent, manned by a number of city officials, employees and volunteers, featured more than 30 donated prizes. Visitors could purchase raffle tickets to place in baskets for a chance to win items to their liking.

Live music in the city amphitheater each evening included performances by Out of Order, Subliners, Ray Flanagan, The Alex Bevan Band, Creedence: The Tribute, Timeless and Johnny Fay & the Bel-Aires.

Broadview Heights residents John and Jackie Taylor, who moved to the city in recent years, had heard about the multi-day event but had not yet attended. “We’ve lived here for a few years and haven’t been able to get out here before, so we wanted to come and check it all out,” said Jackie Taylor. “It’s all great: the food, the rides, attractions and entertainment.”

Ashley Patrick and her son Bentley, of Sagamore Hills, came multiple days to take in the myriad of attractions. “We came back today (Saturday) to visit the petting zoo,” said Ashley Patrick. “We came last night for the fireworks, and then Bentley saw some rides he wanted to ride. We have a membership at the city recreation center and did some swimming before we came over here.”

Tom and Vanessa Henkel, of Broadview Heights, who attended the event Saturday with children Colin, Kate and Ben, said they came to take in all the sights, smells and sounds of Home Days. “They’ve been really looking forward to having a funnel cake, visiting the petting zoo and watching the magic show,” said Tom Henkel. ∞

Kara White of Broadivew Heights enjoys her pierogi. Photo by J. Kananian.
Bhumika Patel, Shree Patel and Pranita Patel show off their cultural clothing prior to their performance. Photo by J. Kananian.
Jock and Jackie Taylor of Broadview Heights take a few minutes to sample some of the Home Days festival food with their children, Owen and Finley. Photo by D. Holland.

Main Photo: Participants in Mayor Sam Alai’s annual 5K race start off strong at the race’s starting line.