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Home Days festival was hot with Hollywood theme
(by Sue Reid - July 28, 2010)
Home Days festival was hot with Hollywood theme
By SUE REID
Despite last weekend's rain and record heat, people still got their "Home Days fix," Solon Recreation Director Donald W. Holub said Monday.
Solon High School graduate Christie Annichine, who now lives in Twinsburg, said her son waited all summer for the event. "The kids just love the rides," she said.
Her husband, Mark, said Home Days is where he gets his "once-a-year sausage sandwich."
The city held the 12th annual event from July 22 to 25 at Solon Community Park. With a theme of Hollywood, over 60 vendors, including city departments, embraced it. Home Days also included rides, games, food and a variety of entertainment.
"For the most part, the rain and heat played a big factor, especially Friday and Saturday, but people still took part," Mr. Holub said. Thursday was a "record day," he said, despite being down about 9 percent for rides compared to previous years.
"It wasn't a wash out," Mr. Holub said. "We got enough good weather in that we were able to do well."
"I think it's a terrific way for all of the residents of Solon to get together," Solon resident Lorna Chernomorets said. "It's nice to be able to relax and enjoy the food. We are all so busy with the summer that Home Days is a time where we can come every year and see everyone. It's such a good feeling.
"You come here, and have a good time," Ms. Chernomorets said.
Home Days kicked off with the traditional spaghetti dinner, which drew nearly 400 people. The serving line featured Mayor Susan A. Drucker, along with former Mayor Kevin C. Patton and his wife, Linda, and senior volunteers. Solon Police Detective Ross Faranda and his jazz ensemble provided the entertainment, along with the Act II singers from the senior center.
"People have a great time with it," E. David Peleg, banquet/program manager for the community center, said of the spaghetti dinner. He said the dinner outgrew the senior center and with this year's gathering being held in the community center's banquet hall.
"This is the big event for our city," Michael Walter, of Solon, said. "It draws all age groups. There is something for everyone."
Solon resident Jayne Kress, 14, said she has been coming every summer to Home Days since she was little. "I get to come and talk with everyone," she said.
Her friend, Alison Wright, 14, of Solon, said she, too, has been coming for as long as she can remember. "It's fun to do the rides and see my friends who I haven't seen in a while," Alison said.
Mr. Holub said that Saturday's crowd was "huge," before the storm came in. The night before, rain "knocked us out at 9 p.m. and we were done for the evening.
"We were able to bounce back Sunday," Mr. Holub said, with over 70 organizations taking part in the afternoon parade. It rained during setup, Mr. Holub said, "but coach says, 'It never rains on my parade.'"
And it didn't.
"It was perfect," he said.
Mr. Holub said the hope is to break even financially for the event. The city's take for the rides is about $20,000.
"We hope to break even," Mr. Holub said. "That's our goal at the very least, so we don't have to go back and ask council for money. We have been able to do that for the last four to five years."
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