By Joshua Robison / The Jambar
Boardman Township held its 15th annual Community Day at Boardman Park on Sept. 13 to bring members of the community together. The event was sponsored by Xfinity, Raising Cane’s, Rob Fellman’s Boardman Subaru and Phantom Fireworks.
At the event, families enjoyed games, food from various vendors, a fireworks show by Phantom Fireworks and a performance from local band No Funk No Justice.
Attendees had the opportunity to interact with various organizations within the Boardman community such as the Boardman Historical Society, Boardman Pop-Up Library and the board of trustees.
Mia Albaugh, community relations coordinator for Boardman Park and Youngstown State University alumna, said the Community Day is unique because it offers a way to give back to the community.
“Our Boardman Community Day celebrates our relationship with the community,”Albaugh said.
Albaugh said she was excited about the new approaches Boardman Park took to reach out to the community. She said that some of the vendors were part of their Maker’s Market section of the event.
“Some of the things that we’re really excited about is our Maker’s Market, which is local vendors, and we’re supporting small, starter businesses and our long term vendors,” Albaugh said.
Albaugh mentioned that the park is establishing a new tradition with the Boardman High School art department and its students.
“It is the Spartans ‘Paint the Plow,’ and we’re hoping that is something Boardman students can look forward to as they go into high school,” Albaugh said.
Tom Costello, Boardman Township trustee, said that Community Day celebrates the Boardman community and provides a space to bring individuals together.
“It’s bringing the community together. Everybody is so busy in life no more going their own direction that this brings this together,” Costello said.
As a board member, Costello said it gives the board a chance to talk with the public in a casual and comfortable atmosphere.
Steve Yacovone, another member of the board, said that Community Day became greater over the years, and he looks forward to its expansion.
“I do know that we used to have it at the township, but because it was so large, we actually had to move it to Boardman Park,” Yacovone said.