RIVERS — Three wise kings walked the aisle, joined the shepherds and the angels, and then opened presents from Santa.

The Harrow Christmas concert has breathed another year. In a tradition that dates back before the ’60s, the small community near the historic Harrow schoolhouse once again gathered for a Christmas evening. Kids dressed as characters from the story of Jesus’s birth acted out a pageant, sang songs, opened presents, and continued the ritual that started before their grandparents were alive.

“My parents kept it going for me,” said local resident Mayvis MacLellan. “So I kept it going for my kids, and now we’re into grandchildren coming. It’s been going on so long, that it’s just kind-of passed through the generations.”

The local grandmother told the Sun she attended for every stage of her life. She was in Grade 4 when the schoolhouse closed, she brought her kids when she became a mother, and now she leads storytime for the event as a grandmother.

About 70 people filled the one-room Harrow schoolhouse on Dec. 20. The Christmas celebrations included a potluck meal, pageant, sing-along, and Santa visit. An out-of-tune piano was used in musical duets, as well as a charming oboe rendition of “Silent Night.”

Though time has had an effect on some things — like the area community shrinking, and the pageant becoming more casual— the true meaning of the event has remained.

“It’s heartwarming for everyone who comes,” said MacLellan. “It’s a lovely little community. It’s not a high-end concert by any stretch of the imagination. But its very warm and comforting.”

Cherri Whelpton, who also comes every year, said she married into the tradition. Her husband Ryan has lived in Rivers all his life, and participated since he was a child. It’s not uncommon, with several people in the room telling the Sun they too were children at the front of the class at some point.

Whelpton said one of her favourite parts is that the children get a visit from Santa. Mr. Claus delivers presents that were really purchased and handed over ahead-of-time by the parents.

“The grandkids are so excited about that,” said Whelpton. “They’re anxious through the whole concert for Santa to arrive. For me now, I like to see the kids, how excited they are. And, getting together with neighbours for that one last wish of merry Christmas.”

“It’s a really important Christmas tradition. It brings your community together at a special time of the year.”

The historic schoolhouse opened in 1887 with a total of 22 children attending class that year. With teachers hard to come by at the time, an application was accepted for a woman who had not yet completed her examinations, and she was hired at a salary amounting to $35 a month for the term.

After a rebuild in 1923, the building served until 1966, when the area merged with the Rolling River School Division. The one-room schoolhouse now serves as a community hall for locals who meet up to play cards, and host a spring picnic.

With another year wrapped, MacLellan told the Sun it’s a strong community effort keeping the event alive. She said she is happy that others participated as well, such as by plowing snow that allowed dozens of cars parking, and coming ahead of time to fire up the old furnace in the building.

“We’re just very committed,” said MacLellan. “We’re trying to keep it going now for the grandchildren.”

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com