43
Youngstown marks holiday season with downtown festivities Saturday
YOUNGSTOWN
Downtown Youngstown was beginning to look a lot like Christmas this weekend with a holiday parade, festival and tree-lighting ceremony that attracted spectators by the hundreds.
The inside 20 Federal Place was transformed Saturday into a hub of activity for the holiday celebration. Throngs of festival participants were treated to free cocoa, a Santa’s workshop, train rides for kids and a visit with Santa.
Those people walking along West Federal Street were tempted with the smell of roasted walnuts, freshly made popcorn, wreaths that could be purchased and the sounds of holiday music. There also was a parade with more than 60 floats and displays and candy for the young people standing along the street.
Claire Maluso, former longtime Federal Plaza director, said the planned events and large number of spectators on hand Saturday are reminiscent of past holiday celebrations in the downtown area.
“What I see is a return to what we did for years. It leveled off, but I am glad to see the things going on inside 20 Federal Plaza West,” she said. “We have to get back to making people feel welcome, that there is something good happening and that they want to come back to the city.”
Kristy McFarland of Boardman said a return to the city for fun and games is what prompted her to come out to the festival with her 2-year-old son, Laddie, and 5-year-old son, Cassidy. She said the community has to support such events to keep them going.
“We just wanted to support the city and have fun. We hear about bad stuff happening in the city, so we just wanted to come out and support some of the good stuff,” she said.
Scott Schulick, member of the festival organizing committee, said there always has been some form of holiday celebration in the city, but this year, the city, Youngstown CityScape, 21 WFMJ-TV, Youngstown State University, First Night and Choffin Career Center teamed up to make it a bigger event than in past years.
“We thought together we could really work to make it a bigger and better event. It’s the festival part we wanted to add to this. We have a Santa this year, and we haven’t had a Santa downtown for years.”
A visit with Santa and a little family time are what brought Seletta Woods of Youngstown to the festival with her sister, nephew and two young children. The family cut short watching the parade to be at the front of the line to visit with Old Saint Nick.
“Me and my sister are just out spending time together with the kids and trying to get to Santa before the rush. We have to go see Santa with the kids,” she said.
Schulick said family and community togetherness are driving forces behind the holiday celebration. He said it’s a way for the “city and whole community to come together.”
Mayor Charles Sammarone said the crowds of people attending the holiday festival point to a resurgence in the city.
“We have shown people today that the city of Youngstown is still alive, and downtown is still hopping. This is just the start,” he said.
The parade included floats and displays from the Rotary Club of Youngstown, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown State University, Choffin Career Center, Youngstown City Schools, Jamz 101.9, St. Patrick Church, Brownlee Woods Block Watch, a list of politicians and several other businesses and community groups.
The YSU Alumni float was selected as the best in show.