AUSTINTOWN — Santa Claus rode in on a firetruck to the 35th annual Austintown Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday evening before learning what all the little boys and girls want for Christmas.

The event began with Christmas carols in front of Fire Station No. 2 on Wickliffe Circle. After the carols were sung and the tree was lit, Santa rode in, not on his sleigh, but on a firetruck. Children quickly lined up to visit with him, then got their pick of hot chocolate and an assortment of cookies.

The Wickliffe Circle Christmas Committee hosts the event each year by raising donations. The Austintown Junior Women’s League was also there to help set up the cookie table. Ten Junior League members helped bag all the cookies for the more than 300 community members who attended the event. The league has been helping with the event for about 14 years, member Ruty Patterson said.

She said one of the group’s community service programs is civic engagement, and it helps with this event each year for outreach.

One league member, Mary Toporcer, said she brought her grandkids to the event when they were little, and now enjoys helping out with the organization.

“It’s exciting bringing your grandkids, but it’s still fun helping and getting to see everyone else bring their kids and grandkids,” Toporcer said.

Another family also knows what it’s like to keep coming back. Sherrie Wolfe of Youngstown brought her children, Aymie Hittle, Corie Hittle and Bonie Bierig, all of Youngstown, to the event when they were young, and this year they all went, along with Aymie’s 5-year-old, Gracie Magan. She asked Santa for a Barbie Dream House, Barbie dolls and a unicorn — a toy unicorn, not a real one, she clarified.

“We want to keep it going as long as we can,” Wolfe said.

Little does Gracie know, her grandma and mom have been organizing a surprise visit from Santa to their house. The same Santa has been coming to the Austintown Tree Lighting for many years, and he goes to the family’s church. Wolfe said he was the Santa at the event when her children were small. In a couple of weeks, Santa will visit Gracie and her friends at her house and bring some presents for all of them.

Two other nearby communities hosted their Christmas festivities Thursday as well. Salem hosted its annual Christmas parade. Canfield hosted its annual Lighting of the Green a day earlier than scheduled, because the high school football team is to play in the state championship game today.