Costumes add color and pageantry to Boar’s Head event

St. John’s Episcopal Church plans 52nd annual celebration

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

youngstown

Organization keeps the pieces of some 100 costumes together and in top shape for the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Credit the due diligence of Pat Klinich, who has been a member of the church all her life and is in her second year as costume coordinator. “It’s all about organizing,” Klinich said as she looks forward to the 52nd festival to be staged Sunday.

Attention to detail stores the hats, gloves, sashes, belts, tights, shoes and jewelry in bins and drawers in the costume room that doubles as the church food pantry.

Costumes for the sprite, the first character seen who brings a lighted candle into the sanctuary, to the Beefeaters in festive red ensembles also are stored there in closets. These costumes, including those for the Three Wise Men, woodsmen, Father Christmas, shepherds, yule log pages, Boar’s Head angels, torchbearers and pipes and drums, are hung neatly in groups.

Fabrics for costumes include cotton, brocade, satin and corduroy. Costumes for the 12 Days of Christmas, portrayed by teenage girls, are simple cotton dresses overlaid with capes and hats with feathers. They’re all in different color combinations. These outfits are feather light compared with the bishop’s weighty, ornate ensemble.

Klinich said last year, the Three Wise Men got new costumes, and costumes for the ladies-in-waiting are provided by Barb Luce, who is involved in area theater.

“Last year, I made notes on what needed to be done this year,” Klinich said. And this year, she looked over the costumes again, evaluating them.

As for the performance, Klinich said, “The challenge is getting all the costumes distributed and making sure everyone has everything. But it all comes together.”

Administrative assistant Priscilla Hays, a church member and casting director, added, “The hope is that everything is labeled.” She’s been a cast member in the festival as have her children, now adults. Casting starts in October, she said, to be sure every part is filled.

“Some people do it year after year because they have so much fun,” Hays said. “Most stay in the same roles,” she said. They move on to other roles as they “age out” of younger characters.

“I think that’s why it runs smoothly ... because so many have done it before,” Klinich said. “There’s no speaking parts ... the music and costumes create it all.”

Meg Silver is director, and Richard Konzen, musical director. Among performers are Brier Hill Pipes and Drums and the Salem Youth Chorus directed by Jon Simsic.