St. John’s hosts 60th annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log show

St. John’s hosts 60th annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log show

YOUNGSTOWN -- After being on a COVID-19 hiatus for two years, the fanfare of the annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival returned Sunday with two sold-out performances at St. John's Episcopal Church on Wick Avenue.

It was the church's 60th annual festival.

The Rev. Gayle Catinella, pastor, said the festival celebrates the holiday season as the Feast of Epiphany, which is Jan. 6, was marked Sunday.

Epiphany takes place after the "12 Days of Christmas" because Christians believe it took 12 days for the magi, or three wise men, to travel to Bethlehem to see God manifesting as the baby Jesus and revealing Himself to the world, according to Christianity.com.

"There are hundreds of people who help put this together. The actors, the musicians, the staff, and all those behind the scenes make this possible," she said.

Catinella said attending the event has become a tradition for many families. She said she was playing the priest for the celebration.

"We have been on COVID sabbatical for two years so to return this year brings a lot of meaning. We are glad to have many people back to celebrate this wonderful season. There is nostalgia, music and beauty. People always have so many memories of attending every year," Catinella said.

Meg Silver of Youngstown, program director overseeing the performers, was helping Aleia Tonasik, 9, of Girard, with her jester's costume.

She said more than 80 cast members were part of the two performances with the same number of vocalists.

"The show has a special message of symbolizing the light of Christ. It is a gift we give to the community for what it symbolizes. It is an Epiphany message as the kings come to bring their gifts to the Lord. We show how we bring that same kind of light back to our community," Silver said.

She said a lot of preparation goes into the performances and she credited the hard work of many people who make it happen.

"So many people come together every year for this," Silver said.

While Silver assists the performers, Richard Konzen serve as the musical director.

Tonasik was practicing doing cartwheels in the hallway because her character had to do them in the procession inside the church.

Many of the performers said they were glad to be able to return to the show.

Jonathan Caguiat of Boardman was one of the beefeaters and has been with the festival since 2004.

"They assign us to different roles. The beefeaters are near the beginning of the procession. They guard the palace," he said.

Driving from Pennsylvania were Jacqueline Pitman, a choir member and member of the church, and her granddaughter, Abby Plosch, one of the girls who was part of the "12 Days of Christmas" performance.

"We have both been part of this for several years," said Pitman, who has always been a part of the choir.

Plosch said she has been different characters, including a baker one year. This year, she was the representative for Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas, which is Seven Swans A Swimming.

Cooper Johnson, 8, of North Lima, was a king's page following one of the kings and carrying his trail of clothing. His father, Steve Johnson, was one of the many beefeaters.

Also on Sunday was another Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon, Pa.