Correspondent photos / Amanda C. Davis The Coffelt family of Youngstown took advantage of Sunday’s beautiful weather to enjoy a vehicle-drawn wagon ride at Boardman’s annual Community Christmas, which featured a scavenger hunt, concert and tree lighting in Boardman Park. From left are Reign, 4; father James; mother Lisa; and daughter, Iris, 18 months.

BOARDMAN — The Coffelt family of Youngstown moved to the area two years ago from Tennessee with no real connections here, but said they’re glad they did.

Husband and wife, Lisa and James, brought their children Reign, 4, and Iris, 18 months, to Boardman Township Park on Sunday to celebrate the annual Community Christmas, which included vehicle-drawn wagon rides, caroling, a scavenger hunt, games, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and a tree lighting.

The Coffelts said they’ve moved somewhere new every few years and also have lived in Los Angeles and Texas. Lisa Coffelt has roots in Kentucky and her husband in Tennessee.

The parents, whose children are Indian and were conceived through embryo donation, said they try to take advantage of community events to give the kids new experiences and show them the world.

“It’s something different,” Lisa Coffelt said. “We like to do this kind of stuff, especially if it’s free.”

Four-year-old Riley Mcgaha, of Youngstown, tried to share her hot chocolate with Santa Claus and said she asked him to bring her lip gloss and nail polish for Christmas.

Her sister, Makenzy Freeman, 6, teased her that Santa might not bring what she wants if she’s been bad.

“I think he will,” Riley said.

Susan Calhoun, whose husband, Brad, is a township trustee, attended with her son’s family and said she was glad bad weather didn’t put a damper on this year’s event, as last year was cold and snowy.

“This is always such a nice little event,” she said. “We’ve got nice weather, at least, this year.”

Wagon rides were offered to the St. James meeting house, Boardman’s oldest building, erected in 1809. Participants also were able to decorate one of the park’s evergreen trees with edible arrangements for animals, made from cranberries, orange and apple slices, strings of cereal and bagels.

Boardman High School students sang Christmas carols for the crowd at the Lariccia Community Center after the tree lighting.

Karen McCallum, park recreation director, said this year’s event was organized differently than years past to allow visitors to see more of the park and what it has to offer.

She said the event is possible because the township, schools and fire department all come together to make sure there’s something fun for people of all ages.

Boardman and Poland schools provided student volunteers to help coordinate the event, and free cookies were offered by the Boardman PTO.

“We’re just so excited to have such a beautiful day,” McCallum said. “This is just a great opportunity to enjoy the holiday season and create new family traditions.”