2010 Lakewood Community Festival, September 11

The Lakewood Community Festival in its 23rd year at Madison Park was held on Saturday, September 11th. I missed the Flag Raising Ceremony held at 11am that included a Vets Quartet, the National Guard, and Lakewood High School Marching Band. But I was there for pretty much the rest of the day enjoying all that was going on.


Pick up a Lakewood Observer Tuesday for photos published in the paper.

(click photo to enlarge)

  • I had just missed the Veterans Quartet sing the National Anthem at the Flag Raising. Pictured here is Dave Slife (2nd from left) of the Quartet and a few of Lakewood's favorite vets (and Kiwanians).

  • The kids loved the bubble making activity.

  • The Bubble Guy came prepared with lots of bubble making gadgets and bubble formula.

  • Giving us a pose and showing off her face painting.

  • Our Lakewood Neighborhood Officers were working hard all during the festival creating free Child Idenitification cards. Officer Atkins and ? standing. Officer Busi and Ortiz sitting.

  • The pavilion is where all the food is offered.

  • Hilary Schickler working a Housing booth and holding up a Lakewood House Tour brochure that was held the next day on Sunday. See the photoblog for that also under my Photoblogs.

  • Our daughter getting her face painted. We had to pay for this extra fancy design.

  • Bruce Chamberlain of Lakewood Division of Youth showing the Foster & Adoption brochures he was passing out.

  • Transfiguration (Old St. Cyril) Church volunteers working hard serving food.

  • Grace Lutheran Church volunteer showing off stuffed cabbage, a favorite Eastern European food sold every year at this festival.

  • Grace Lutheran volunteer working the hotdogs and sloppy joe stand.

  • Polka Pirates started out the musical line up entertainment.

  • The Lakewood Kiwanis booth. You can always count on their presence at Lakewood's regular events. Kiwanis give thousands away every year towards helping our community's children. New members always welcome. Check out www.lkwdpl.org/kiwanis/.

  • Students of Silhouette Dance & Arts Studio practicing their routine over by their booth before going on stage.

  • The bounce house was jumping all day.

  • Silhouette Dance & Arts Studio dancers picking up the tempo and energy for the crowd.

  • Johnny Pastirik (in middle) who coordinated the musical entertainment for the festival, with The Rat Pack, who sing favorites of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

  • Pony rides.

  • The kids loved the animals he created from balloons.

  • Kids lining up for a race during the children's games.

  • Kids getting some great running activity for prizes!

  • Mr. Popovich and Rose Slavik have been involved in running the festival since it began 23 years ago.

  • Lakewood middle school students checking out the children's games area held on the soccer field.

  • Mother and daughter walking over to the festival.

  • The members of the Atkins family sitting and watching the kids play games.

  • Four generations of the Atkins family from Lauderdale Ave. who enjoy coming to the festival.

  • Silhouette Dance & Fine Arts Studio are always supportive of local events.

  • Colleen McNamara of the City Division of Youth sharing information with the community.

  • The Lakewood Animal Shelter booth getting a visit from Councilwoman, Nickie Antonio.

  • Asian Services in Action booth volunteers. They are looking for English speaking tutors to help Lakewood residents. No previous experience required. You can visit asiainc-ohio.org for more info or call 216-881-0330.

  • Lakewood Baptist Church volunteers offered fun activities for the kids with ring toss in the background.

  • Trinity Lutheran Church volunteer giving information on its free lead testing program held this month.

  • Preserve St. James volunteers sharing pictures of the St. James church and information on the importance of preserving St. James.

  • NASA representative sharing with a viewing audience.

  • Greg Popovich, chair of the children's games, and members of the Popovich family.

  • Steel Valley Credit Union, located in the heart of Birdtown, was a popular stop for the kids as they hand out free helium balloons.

  • Lakewood Recreation Department booth volunteers, Christine Gordillo, Mike Callahan, and Mitch Robida.

  • Nicole Flagg, owner of Beshe boutique on Madison Ave., stops at Steel Valley Credit Union booth for balloons for the kids. 

  • North Coast Baptist Church, located in Birdtown, had friendly volunteers and church members to share with the community.

  • The festival is a sight of constant neighborly exchanges with one another.

  • The Riley Brother Band performing for the crowd.

  • Lakewood City employees worked hard behind the scenes all weekend doing their part to make sure the festival ran smoothly.

  • Pilgram Lutheran Church volunteer. Loved the shirt!

  • Pilgram Lutheran Church from Detroit Ave. passed out free ice cream cones all day!

  • Hard working Community Festival Chairpersons since the festival began 23 years ago: left to right, Marge Stopiak, Rose Slavik, and Helen Pohorence.

  • Friends enjoying the festival.

  • Friends showing off their face paintings having a good time at the festival.

  • Dancing to the music.

  •  Trumpet soloist playing while the next band gets set up.

  • Suzanne and Tracey working the Harrison PTA booth with activities for children. if you haven't joined your child's PTA yet this year, what are you waiting for? You can help support PTA efforts by paying little in membership dues.

  • Logan Wells charming the socks off the crowd.

  • Lakewood Early Childhood PTA volunteers passing out "Brake 4 Kids" signs and doing crafts with the kids. For more information on LECPTA visit www.lecpta.com.

  • New owner of the best little green retail shop on Detroit Ave., Green Smart Gifts, visiting with a little friend as the festival winds down.

  • Rachel and Tony Pavey, residents of Birdtown and dedicated Lakewood City employees walked over to enjoy the festival.

  • Transfiguration Church volunteer still serving plenty of good food as festival winds down.

  • Transfiguration Church volunteers serving traditional eastern European dishes.

  • Many local businesses took the opportunity to reach out to the community by holding a booth at the festival. Here new business, Marrell Instrument, located on Madison Ave. had a display of musical instruments and information to inspire the musician in you.

  • Alpacas in the park! Brought in by Starburst Suri Alpaca Ranch. Also, Lake Erie Nature Center had lots of small creatures for the kids to visit with.

Back to Melissa's photoblogs