Friday, September 10, 1999
Parade opens Harvest Home Fair
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CHEVIOT — Thousands of people lined the route for the parade that kicked off the 140th Harvest Home Fair here Thursday evening.
The parade wound its way from Bridgetown Road and Harrison Avenue, continued on Harrison and turned onto North Bend Road, proceeding to the entrance of Harvest Home Park.
The parade featured floats, antique cars, high school bands, fraternal organizations and more than a smattering of candidates seeking to hold or gain political office.
Elaine Johnson, 69, of Cheviot came out for the marching bands.
“I can't explain it. I just feel it in here,” she said, placing her hand on her stomach.
John Gessendorf, 43, of Delhi Township has been attending the west side tradi tion since he was a child. Now, two of his four teen-agers are parade participants.
“I don't think that it has really changed,” he said. “The crowds have always turned out.”
People lined Harrison Avenue and North Bend Road to watch the parade.
Traditionally, many claimed spaces several days in advance by placing their lawn and folding chairs along the parade route.
That ended this year when the city asked people to voluntarily comply with a rule that spots not be claimed more than 24 hours before parade time.
Calvin Williams, 3, waved furiously at the parade units from a small red chair, his mother and sisters at his side.
“My son isn't going to have any circulation left in his arms,” said his mother, Mia Williams, 35, of Cheviot.
The Harvest Home Fair — which runs 5-11 p.m. today and noon-11 p.m. Satur day and Sunday — dates to the days when it was an occasion for farmers and growers to show off produce, but it has grown and come to represent more over the past 140 years.
Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cheviot-Westwood, it is often referred to as “Ohio's biggest little fair,” attracting 25,000 to 30,000 people over the weekend. With its rides, food and 4-H displays of produce and livestock, it has a flavor that suggests fairs of years gone by.
Doug Trapp contributed to this report.
Taft offers schools $10.2B
Jury urges death for Lynch
Radio station reconsiders 'bridge of bras'
Shopkeeper earned 'respect' in hard way
Temples increase security for holy days
Southern Baptists want Jews to convert
Greeting card exhibit puts Rosh Hashana tradition on display
Crash victims 'had no chance'
Family faces death of teen, grandfather
Covington Oktoberfest has food, fun for 'everyone's palate'
Oxford visitors in for a sweet time at Honey Festival
Parade opens Harvest Home Fair
Soldiers to restore old cemetery
Christians want to stress religious meaning of 2000
Ex-law school dean courts the outdoor life
GET TO IT
Prostate cancer checks offered
Adviser offers suggestions for Ludlow budget
Board opposes splitting Middletown-Monroe
Board reluctant on sewer dispute
Grant Co. may display commandments
Klan rally tangles busy Columbus weekend
Magnet plan reaction mixed
Man accused of faking disability
Minister sees talents as tools for community
Muhlhauser almost finished
New Clearcreek Twp. trustee
Pregnant woman sentenced to prison
Stadium project shy of minorities goal
TRISTATE DIGEST
Villagers speak up: No landfill
Without Kyle, life is 'too quiet' for grieving parents
Youth pleads not guilty in shooting
