Christmas Celebration in Riverton

Holiday enthusiasts in search of an alternative to glitzy, commercial holiday productions are in for a rare treat with a weekend of historic New England traditions in the quaint country village of Riverton. The 26th annual "Christmas in Riverton" celebration on Friday through Sunday, December 6-8 allows families a chance to step back in time and enjoy old-fashioned holiday traditions.

The entire town of Riverton contributes to the highly anticipated weekend with volunteers and local merchants pitching in to offer genuine New England entertainment. Horse-drawn wagon rides through the town will be offered on Saturday from noon-2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., and Sunday from noon-2 p.m.; meet outside the Riverton General Store. A merry sing-along of classic Christmas carols with the chorus of Northwest Regional School will be held at the Hitchcock Museum on Saturday from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Visitors can relish in the vivid animation of holiday storytelling with master narrator and author Mark Kimball Moulton at the Hitchcock Museum on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Other events at the Hitchcock Museum will include a performance by a barbershop quartet on Sunday at 1 p.m.; the creation of intricate ice carvings with Jerry Reveron on Sunday at noon; and photos with Santa on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Visitors can delight in a demonstration of the 200-year-old tradition of hand weaving rush seats on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hitchcock Fine Home Furnishings. Creative visitors should bring corncob pipes and button noses to show off their design styles for the snowman-building contest on Saturday from 1-3 p.m., weather permitting. Live performances of the classic holiday favorite A Christmas Carol will be performed by the Riverton Theatre on Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

From romantic walks through the village’s candlelit streets to the chili supper and fried dough at the volunteer firehouse, the magical weekend transforms Riverton into a Christmas wonderland for adults and children. Activities are free and open to the public, with the exception of the performance of A Christmas Carol, where proceeds benefit the Tiny Tim Fund, a source of anonymous gifts to needy families in Northwestern Connecticut; tickets cost only $8 for adults and $4 for children. For more info call 860-379-7250, or 860-738-3900.