‘Full of good vibes, good moods, and good cheer’: Three Rivers hosting Christmas Around Town

Three Rivers’ annual Christmas Around Town returns Friday, November 29-Saturday, November 30 to downtown, and organizers are looking forward to festive fun for all ages.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chairman Andrew George calls Christmas Around Town a wonderful treat and fan favorite for the Three Rivers community.

“We absolutely love offering a family-friendly event every year,” George said. “Seeing all the kids come downtown to visit Santa, see the reindeer, and enjoy all the stops is so much fun. We love to see all the holiday cheer coming in and out of our local businesses.”

The fun starts at 3 p.m. on “Falala Friday,” with horse-drawn wagon rides being given through Three Rivers. Guests are encouraged to enjoy local dining and shopping, as well as check out the “Story Book Stroll” at the Three Rivers Public Library, 88 N. Main St.

Excitement continues at 6 p.m., with this year’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It will include holiday carols sung by the Three Rivers High School Aristocrats, plus complimentary hot cocoa from Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area and a GG’s Cookie, courtesy of Trim-Pac.

“Be on the lookout for our ‘Firefighters for Santa’ campaign, in partnership with the Three Rivers and Fabius Fire Departments,” the 2024 Christmas Around Town Facebook page stated. “At 7 p.m., end the evening with a Holiday Concert at the Riviera Theatre and a chance to win a family fun gift basket.”

There are so many rewarding parts of Christmas Around Town, George said.

“It’s the magic of the holidays, whether it’s seeing the kids and the shoppers downtown. It’s also seeing our local businesses’ cash registers ringing. It’s a prosperous time that full of good vibes, good moods, and good cheer” he said.

“Shop Small Saturday” will be celebrated this weekend. Christmas Around Town visitors are encouraged to support Three Rivers businesses, which will have special holiday savings throughout the day. Once again, the Firefighters for Santa campaign will be out and about. There will also be no shortage of fun for the youngest Christmas guests.

“Santa arrives at the Riviera Theatre, brought by the Three Rivers Fire Department!” the Christmas Around Town Facebook page states. “Santa will be there (from 12-4 p.m.) to meet and greet the children.”

Other kid-friendly activities include another round of the Story Brook Stroll at the Three Rivers Public Library. The Stroll will feature Otto the Ornament, children’s holiday crafts, and face painting sponsored by Cricket Wireless. Also on North Main Street, GG’s Cookies will have take-home cookie decorating kits, and kids can join a scavenger hunt to win a Lowry’s Books and More gift certificate.

George is expecting at least 500 kids will see Santa this weekend, and it’s likely between 1,500-2,000 people will take part in some aspect of Christmas Around Town.

“We try our absolutely hardest to fundraise and gather as much community support as possible to have a stake in these events,” George said. “We do have some wonderful sponsors, businesses around town who we’re thankful for.”

Christmas Around Town is possible thanks to 26 sponsors, including this year’s leaders, Lynn’s Garage and Precision Wire Forms Inc.

“We’re super-thankful for all of our sponsors, especially Lynn’s Garage and Precision Wire Forms. All of our sponsors are amazing and they’re the real reason why we’re able to continue to have Christmas Around Town in our community every year,” George said.

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.