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<p>SWOYERSVILLE &#8212; It&#8217;s the time of year for Christmas cheer. Well, not quite yet.</p><p>For those who miss sitting in front of the television and singing along to the crooning of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in preparation for Christmas, an event in Swoyersville will be the perfect fix.</p><p>Mayor Chris Concert, who is organizing the &#8220;Red, White and Blue Christmas&#8221; show for a fourth year, said attendees should find the presentation even more enjoyable because admission benefits homeless veterans during the holiday season.</p><p>Last year, Concert was able to provide homeless veterans with a gift card to Walmart and a gift from the Veterans Hospital Commissary through the &#8220;Adopt a Vet&#8221; program.</p><p>&#8220;I heard that they were all thrilled to get the gifts,&#8221; said Concert. &#8220;I want to do that again.&#8221;</p><p>Concert will be opening the evening with a reading of &#8220;&#8217;Twas the Night before Christmas.&#8221;</p><p>He had originally hoped that he might get a choir for the event, but said the reading of the children&#8217;s favorite will further bring a sense of warmth and family to the event.</p><p>The night is anticipated to be one of both fellowship and music, said Concert.</p><p>For those wanting to recreate childhood memories of holiday favorites, George Rittenhouse Sr. will perform a variety of Christmas favorites he said will be a throwback to TV specials often watched with family on a chilly night.</p><p>Rittenhouse said the event had small beginnings over the course of its four years, but has continued to grow.</p><p>&#8220;I sing many types of music,&#8221; he said. &#8220;So, I can even bring a bit of a country feel to &#8216;Jingle Bells.&#8217;&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I spend a lot of time entertaining people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I do over 300 shows a year.&#8221;</p><p>Rittenhouse said the most important part of Christmas (television) specials was the word &#8220;special.&#8221; Now he wants to bring that feeling to those gathered in the community for the holiday event.</p><p>For those whose taste leans toward country or contemporary, Big John Davis and Myke Jordon will also perform.</p><p>&#8220;One of last year&#8217;s favorite moments was when John Davis sang a duet &#8212; with his 90-year-old mother,&#8221; said Concert. &#8220;They sang &#8216;Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas&#8217; and believe me, she could sing.&#8221;</p><p>This year&#8217;s venue is a new one, said Concert.</p><p>&#8220;It will be held at the Swoyersville American Legion,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Which will mean more people can attend.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">An annual fundraiser to race money for veterans over the holidays is scheduled for Dec. 4 in Swoyersville. This photo shows John Davis and Cathy Paty, of the Iron Cowboy band, performing at last year&#8217;s event, which funded gift cards for veterans. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL113015InfocusConcert2-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>An annual fundraiser to race money for veterans over the holidays is scheduled for Dec. 4 in Swoyersville. This photo shows John Davis and Cathy Paty, of the Iron Cowboy band, performing at last year&#8217;s event, which funded gift cards for veterans. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Swoyersville mayor again organizingRed, White and Blue Christmas show</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>IF YOU GO</strong></p><p><strong>What:</strong> The Red, White and Blue Christmas Show</p><p><strong>When:</strong> 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4.</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> The Swoyersville American Legion, 259 Shoemaker St., Swoyersville.</p><p>For more information, call Chris Concert at 570-239-4124. (Do not call the American Legion).</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Swoyersville event aims to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas