Staff photos/ Bob Coupland The procession with the boar’s head travels through St. John’s Episcopal Church in Youngstown for the 62nd annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, which had two performances Sunday.

YOUNGSTOWN — Sixty-two years ago, James Hummer of Boardman was in the first local performance of the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival and on Sunday, he and others were able to see the latest presentation of the popular holiday event.

For the 62nd year, the Boar’s Head Festival took place Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Youngstown. Hummer said he has been part of the performances for many years and has attended every year.

“I played in the very first one. I played the trombone and we walked down the aisle. I was going to Dana School of Music back then,” he said.

Hummer said he has always enjoyed the Boar’s Head celebration.

He remembers in the first year a boy sitting on a log being pulled up and down the aisles.

“I remember when they went around a bend, he went flying off the log. Since then, they make sure the log is tied down,” he said.

Hummer said he enjoys getting to see all the performers each year with his family.

He said 50 years ago, he was photographed and ended up on the front page of The Vindicator.

Meg Silver of Youngstown, director of the performance with Richard Konzen, music director / organist at the church, said the performance is well attended because it has become a holiday tradition for many people.

“It is not just a Christian celebration but a celebration of music. Those two put together make for a nice way to round out the holiday season in both a spiritual and musical way,” Silver said.

She said the church is well known by people for the Boar’s Head Festival and its food ministry.

“People know this church for this. The Boar’s Head is a gift we give to the community that is valued. The performers and all the musicians all come together to make this offering to Youngstown, which also makes it incredibly special,” Silver said.

The Rev. Abraham Allende, interim pastor at the church, said this was the first year he was able to host the two performances.

“I have heard so much about this and was glad to be able to witness it first hand. This is one of those events that brings the entire community together outside of the church community. This event is well known throughout the area and draws people,” Allende said.

He said with the exception of two years during the coronavirus pandemic, the church has hosted the event for 62 years.

Allende said the church always wants to be a light for others and in many ways the church opening its doors for the presentation does that.

“In many ways this is a religious service since it is centered around the birth of Christ and all the adorations that we give him. Even people who have not heard that story in a long time will have the opportunity to hear it in song and action. It is just a wonderful event,” Allende said.

Samuel Dickey of Youngstown, who is marking his 14th time in the performance, is portraying one of the shepherds.

“I have played different roles. I have been the taper barer to the herald and a friar. It’s a fun time to hang out with friends on a chilly January Sunday,” he said.

Dickey said one year the pants he wore were too big so he had a hard time holding up the pants and walking like nothing was wrong,

Poland residents Walter and Belinda Baber were marking their 18th performance as Lord and Lady of the Manor.

“It’s always fun and exciting to be part of this. I have been two different characters over the years and my wife has been four or five different characters,” Walter Baber said.

Devin Rodgers of San Francisco marked his first year in the performance as the rector.

“I am excited to see the way people from St. John’s come together and use the gifts that God has given them for this wonderful celebration. As we round out the Christmas season, this is a reminder of what Christmas is and people coming together for peace and joy,” Rodgers said.

Rebekah Silver of Boardman, assistant director, said she was there helping behind the scenes wherever her mother, Meg Silver, needed her.

Her duties included lighting the candle so the sprite played by Ivy Lowry, 9, of Columbiana, could skip through the church when the lights were turned off.