YOUNGSTOWN — Jahzara Cotton might not be getting rich selling lemonade, but she was happy about the return on her investment.

“I enjoy it because it puts a smile on people’s faces and helps them enjoy their day,” Jahzara, 10, of Columbus, said.

Jahzara and her older brother, David Durrle, 17, of Youngstown, were busy selling jars and cups of regular and strawberry lemonade on a picture-perfect summer day, and as part of Saturday’s first Glenwood Avenue Festival.

Hosting the five-hour family- and community-oriented gathering outside of the Youngstown Playhouse was the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

With the start of a new school year just around the corner for many, the siblings intend to use the money they raise via lemonade sales to buy school supplies and clothing, David explained.

The fest aimed to unify people of all ages and deepen their appreciation for the city while celebrating the many groups and organizations that have contributed to the vibrancy and strength of Youngstown, Jack Daugherty, YNDC’s neighborhood stabilization director, noted.

“We are celebrating the progress we are all making on Glenwood and surrounding neighborhoods, and we are celebrating the community,” Daugherty said.

Among those who are happy with such progress is Jeff Wilson, who lives near the Glenwood Avenue corridor.

“It’s our community; it’s where we live, so I want to support it. I’m Youngstown proud. It’s about the people who live here,” he said, adding: “I love the comeback. This is home.”

Wilson also brought to Saturday’s gathering his daughters, Tashe’ Salli-Wilson, 6, and Te’lyn Salli-Wilson, 8. Both of them enjoyed spending part of their time decorating each other’s cookies as well as their own with pink frosting and marshmallows.

In addition to several food vendors, a pop-up library courtesy of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, facepainting, line dancing and a variety of games and activities for children, the fest had on hand several resource tables.

Also on site was Mercy Health’s Kikel Mobile Dental Clinic. The traveling clinic was offering free general oral screenings to toddlers, children and adults for cavities, chipped teeth and other dental problems.

Kayshia Washington, YNDC’s community engagement fellow, said that many people at the festival were born and raised on and near the Glenwood Avenue corridor and take pride in their communities. More needs to be done in the neighborhoods, but the section of the South Side continues to improve, she added.

The Youngstown police and fire departments took part in the fest to get to know and further connect with residents.