Christmas Around Town

Downtown Three Rivers was a bustling place on Saturday (November 29th) as the two-day celebration of “Christmas Around Town” began.

People were were lined up from the entrance of the Riviera Theatre all the way to the Mural Mall in advance of the 12 noon arrival of Santa Claus by firetruck on a relatively mild day with plenty of sunshine.

After greeting some children, parents and grandparents in front of the Riviera, Santa moved to the stage of the recently-restored theatre where met with youngsters and posed for photographs for the remainder of the afternoon. He’s due back at the theatre for similar activity on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

The day was highlighted by a variety of other activities including free cookie decorating at The Cutting Edge, free face painting at the Carnegie Center for the Arts, free horse-drawn wagon rides, a free coloring contest at Fabrications, and real, live reindeer in the Mural Mall – activities that will be offered again on Sunday.

Twenty-six locations – most in the downtown area – are taking part in the “Christmas Around Town” festivities.

Thanks to the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority, a FREE shuttle service is providing rides between participating merchants.

Sunday’s schedule will include a free concert by Gray’s Community Band at the Riviera from 3 to 5 p.m.

Merchants are featuring holiday sales both days.

The overall hours for “Christmas Around Town” are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.