Eight-year-old Tyler Luchey sat in a chair under a shady tree getting his right hand painted orange and his fingernails, black. He wanted it to look just like a tiger's paw.

Just minutes before, Tyler had climbed up the portable rock climbing wall, but not only the easy side; he climbed the harder side, the one with the bulging parts. He said his hands hurt, but he "had fun."

Tyler was one of many neighborhood children and adults who ventured out from 11 to 4 p.m. Saturday to enjoy the sights and sounds of a block party thrown by the members of First Presbyterian Church on East State Street in Sharon.

This was the first year the congregation hosted the fete, which the pastor, Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Hink.

"We wanted to do something new and special to reach out to our neighbors," he said.

In addition to the rock wall, there was a dunking booth, food stands, a pottery-making booth and live entertainment.

Children got their faces and hands painted and created chalk drawings on the ground. Sharon police provided information on fingerprinting and the fire department brought a truck for the kids to see. Bruster's, Hermitage, provided free ice cream for the participants as well.

Hink said the event was a good way for the congregation to interact with people in the community.

"We wanted to share and experience God's grace, joy and hope with our neighbors," he said.

Echoing Hink's sentiment was Ed Benedict. Benedict, a member of the church, said he thought the nice weather helped make the event special.

"We had a good turnout," he said, adding that some churchgoers canvassed the neighborhood for a few weeks, handing out flyers about the event and the upcoming vacation Bible school to about 200 homes.

"We want to give (the community) a better image of the church as far as being in the neighborhood," Benedict said. "We want them to know that we're here; we don't want them to be afraid of us."

Donald Golub, Tyler's brother, made it to the top of the rock wall three times. The 11-year-old said the wall was the best part of the festivities.

"Our mom told us (about the block party) and we came to have fun," he said.

Neither boy belongs to the church, but at least one church member said she hopes that events like the block party may help to change that.

While painting Tyler's hand, Paula Haehnel, of Sharon, said she thought the turnout was great for the kids.

"I think (the block party) is appealing to things kids want to do," she said. "I hope it creates an interest for the church.

"Maybe it'll get more younger people to come to the church."