Correspondent photos / Sean Barron . . . Ray Novotny, Mill Creek MetroParks’ naturalist emeritus, roasts chestnuts Saturday, a tradition at the annual Christmas at the Mill holiday event at Lanterman’s Mill in Youngstown. Assisting him is Emily Greve, a park educator.

YOUNGSTOWN — For Christmas, Ronin Jenkins, 5, hopes to receive a gift that relies largely on hydraulics, though little lift was needed to place him next to a holiday icon.

“He wishes to get a (Sony) PlayStation 5 and a Mega Cyborg Hand for Christmas,” Ronin’s father, Steven Jenkins, said.

The likes of such a gift slips onto one’s hand like a glove and has mechanical fingers operated with one’s own fingers that can grip objects with enough force to lift them, Steven Jenkins explained.

Beforehand, however, Ronin and older brother, Rook Jenkins, 9, gripped the opportunity to get acquainted and hang out with Santa Claus, who traveled several thousand miles from the North Pole.

After his Mahoning Valley arrival, St. Nick made a two-hour appearance Saturday and Sunday to greet those of all ages who attended the annual Christmas at the Mill family-friendly and holiday-themed event at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Lanterman’s Mill.

Adding to the Jenkins’ early holiday pleasures also was being able to travel from their Indianapolis home to celebrate Thanksgiving at his sister’s Canfield residence, Steven Jenkins said. The elder Jenkins added that he and the rest of the family have yet to solidify their Christmas plans, except to say that the holiday will be spent at their home.

Further contributing to the Christmas spirit for many attendees was the weekend’s weather that consisted of partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the high 20s.

This year’s gathering featured 21 artisans, food, craft makers, bakers and other new and regular vendors, Eric Simione, mill manager, noted. In addition, a Giving Tree was set up to accept donations of gloves, mittens, hats and scarves, and other winter wear that will benefit the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, he said.

Among the regulars at this year’s festive event were Scott Lanz, who runs LanzScape Photography Ltd., and Bob Barko Jr., a fine graphic artist with Youngstown-based Steel Town Studios.

First-timers included Pat Ivan, who owns Woodswalker Designs of Leetonia, a 3-year-old business that sells merchandise based largely on wildlife photography pieces that her husband, John Ivan and son, Colton Ivan, snapped. Such items include frames, buttons, handmade twig prints, magnets, pillows, ornaments from birdseed and logs with suet, Pat Ivan said.

Being part of Christmas at the Mill meant more to Pat Ivan than merely selling holiday items, though. It also allowed her to fondly remember time spent there with her late mother, she added.

“I used to come with my mom, so being a vendor here makes it even more special,” she said, adding, “I’ve spent a lot of time at Mill Creek Park.”

Additional products for sale in the mill included colorful, decorative and elaborately-designed wreaths, scented lotions and soaps, ornaments and wooden Christmas artwork.

Of course, no Christmas at the Mill gathering would be complete without Ray Novotny, park naturalist emeritus, who braved the cold both days to roast chestnuts on an open fire and grill. Lending him a helpful holiday hand was Emily Greve, a park educator.

Fronting a growing line to receive their own chestnuts Saturday was Kristina Sinegal of Poland, who came Saturday with her boyfriend, Jeff Radaker.

“I come every year. It’s like one of the first events to get me in the Christmas spirit,” Sinegal said.

She and Radaker plan to attend a variety of additional local holiday-flavored gatherings, perhaps the largest of which will be the annual parade in downtown Youngstown, set to get underway at 4 p.m. Friday. It also will include a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony following the parade.

In addition, Saturday’s festivities included Tyler Guerrieri of Struthers, who played solo instrumental renditions on his electric guitar of several well-known Christmas carols, such as “Frosty the Snowman.”

Many children and adults also gathered in the mill to take in further entertainment, courtesy of Joe Sullivan, fondly known as “The Balloon Guy.” With a series of seemingly effortless twists and turns, Sullivan crafted animals and other figures with little more than balloon and breath.

Christmas at the Mill debuted in 1986, with the intention of bringing added holiday joy and cheer to the community, Simione said.