Holiday event: It’s time for Christmas in Riverton

RIVERTON — A favorite holiday tradition in the northwest corner is Christmas in Riverton, a weekend of themed events, performances and shopping opportunities that draws visitors from near and far. This year, the event runs Dec. 6, 7 and 8.

This event is presented by the Riverton General Store, Hitchcock Chair Company, Orchard Hill Baking, Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio, Riverton Self Storage, Old Riverton Inn, Ledgebrook Spirit Shop, Riverton Volunteer Fire Department, the Barkhamsted Historical Society and many residents and business owners from the communities of Riverton, Barkhamsted, and Pleasant Valley.

For more information and a full shedule, visit https://rivertonct.com/ christmasinriverton2019/ or call 8603791082

Festivities begin with a Candlelit Walk Through Town and holiday shopping from 58 p.m. The Riverton

General Store will be open 5–9 p.m., serving chili or New England clam chowder in a bread bowl. Shoppers can visit the Old Factory on the River, Hitchcock Chair Company, Riverton General Store, Riverton Volunteer Fire Department, Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio and the Old Riverton Inn.

The Riverton Grange Hall’s Festival of Trees is open Friday from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the hall. Visitors can cast a vote for the best tree with a non perishable food item or small donation for the Community Food Bank at the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church; purchase raffle tickets; and and even take home a favorite tree.

From 68 p.m., a singalong will be held at the Old Riverton Inn. A concert of Renaissance Christmas music, performed by the Greenwoods Consort, runs from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Hitchcock Chair Company.

The Ledgebrook Spirit Shop and the Barkhamsted Historical Society are holding a wine tasting tour from 68 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Tiny Tim Fund. Call 8603791082 for advance reservations are recommended, and the tasting is for adults over 21. Glasses can be purchased at the Bishop’s House, and tickets are $25 at the door, cash or check only.

A special part of Christmas in Riverton is the annual performances of “A Christmas Carol,” which are held in the Riverton Congregational Church. Friday’s show is at 8 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, performances will be held at “A Christmas Carol” performances at 2, 5, and 8 p.m. For tickets, call 8603790811.

Saturday and Sunday’s events include shopping from 125 p.m. at the Old Factory on the River, Hitchcock Chair Company, the Riverton General Store, Riverton Volunteer Fire Department, Green wood Glass Blowing Studio and the Old Riverton Inn. The glass studio is open from 11 a.m.4 p.m. Residents can make their own ornaments.

The Hitchcock Chair Company will give a rush seatmaking demonstration from 122 p.m.

Children’s craft workshops are offered at the grange hall from 13 p.m. Recreation department members will be on hand to help, and cookies and cocoa are provided. The fee is $5 per person.

The grange’s Festival of Trees continues from 124 p.m., with a tree raffle at 4 p.m.

Roving Christmas caroling with the cast of “A Christmas Carol” goes on before the 2 p.m. performances. Puppet shows for children are scheduled for 1, 2 and 3 p.m. at the Riverton Volunteer Fire Department. Horsedraw wagon rides run from 12:304:30 p.m. The Old Riverton Inn welcomes Santa from 13 p.m., and will have cookie decorating and face painting from 124 p.m.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Peter Greenwood, owner of Greenwood Glass in Riverton, and an assistant produced a glass holiday tree ornament during a glassblowing demonstration tour as part of Christmas in Riverton in 2016. This year’s event will be held Dec. 6 to 8.