It's pleasant to remember those years when it was held at the Sheffield Center. Each year it was bigger and bigger, setting attendance records as it went along. The festival was the place to be during those years and it was unthinkable not to attend, as it was the highlight of the summer. Just going there meant that you would run into lots of old friends under those tents. And if it got a little hot in there, you could relax in the grass on the hill overlooking the parking lot, or go watch the ethnic dances and programs on the stage.
Above is the front page of the Journal of July 7, 1973. The top photo really captures what it was like back then. I know I used to go all three days back then; the Admiral King Marching Band had a soft drink booth and it was fun to work it at least one of those days. The rest of the time was spent people (girl) watching with my high school band buddies and sampling some of those once-a-year treats, like egg rolls from the Golden Dragon.
Today it's a different festival. There's an admission charge; it's held in an attractive venue down at the Black River (unfortunately often timed with the arrival of the lake flies). Many of the ethnic societies and organizations are long gone.
But the festival remains, which is a good thing for everybody.
I could see an admission charge for people that don't live in Lorain but for people that are actual citizens of the International City,come on.They should get in for free.It's the least that the city can do.
ReplyDeleteI like the paid attendance aspects keep out alot Lorain’s trouble makers out. Like the Police presence also
DeleteI rarely went to the Festival itself, although I did go to the parade every year, mainly to see the Princesses and the marching girls.
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