Bonfires, Trains, and Hats, Oh My!

Frosty temperatures are no match for downtown Riverhead’s 20th annual Holiday Parade and Bonfire, Saturday, December 14, on the Peconic Riverfront.

The Riverhead Business Improvement District and Town of Riverhead invite all to attend the festivities including fun with Santa inside his gingerbread house, free candy canes and hot chocolate, and more. Bideawee’s mobile adoption van will be on site with dogs and cats ready for adoption. Local radio stations will also be broadcasting from the event.

Attendees are suggested to bring a chair and blankets, pack a picnic, and cozy up with friends and family along Main Street to enjoy the Lion’s Club parade, fire, and holiday music. Riverhead restaurants, bars, and breweries will also be serving food and drinks all day and night, inviting guests to a day of socializing.

“We are thrilled to once again host this annual event with the positivity and participation of the town and people of Riverhead, making this a special holiday tradition for hundreds of families and children every year,” said Kristy Verity, executive director of the Riverhead BID. “Come for an afternoon of community, celebration, and cheer. The business improvement district is so proud of our downtown and we enjoy giving back and sharing the holiday spirit with all of Riverhead.”

The parade of fire trucks, floats, marching bands, tractors, and Santa marches down Main Street beginning at 3 PM and finishes along the riverfront at around 3:45 PM. The bonfire begins at 4 PM. A rain date is scheduled for December 15.

Carolers, performers, businesses, youth groups, and community organizations are encouraged to enter a float, decorate a vehicle, or march in the parade. Interested parties can email riverheadbidma@gmail.com.

Historic Lionel Train Layout

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the railroad-lover in your life, or want to spend some holiday money on a train setup, look no further than the Riverhead Railroad Museum of Long Island gift shop.

There will be free admission Saturdays, December 21 and 28, from 10 AM to 4 PM to view the historic Lionel modern train and railroad layout in the museum’s Freeman North Exhibit Hall.

The Lionel showroom layout is from Chesterfield, MI. Constructed by the employees of Lionel, LLC in 1992, the 40×14 O- and S-gauge layout was donated to the museum by Lionel, LLC in 2009. Members of the museum moved the arrangement from Michigan to Riverhead for public viewing in April 2011.

For more information, visit www.rmli.org, call 631-727-7920, or email info@rmli.org.

Christmas At The Lyzon Hat Shop

The Hampton Bays Historical Society will host a holiday party at the Lyzon Hat Shop on Main Street from 10 AM to 3 PM on December 7.

The annual event includes local vendors, cookies, a book signing, exhibits, and more. Visit www.hamptonbayshistoricalsociety.org.

desiree@indyeastend.com