(Riverton, WY) – Riverton kicked off the Christmas season Saturday night with one of its best annual traditions—the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting—drawing well over a hundred people to Jason’s Park off Main Street.
Families bundled up and crowded around fire pits provided by Porter’s Mountain View Supply, warming their hands while music and cheerful announcements from Rusty Harris carried through the park. Kids lined up for hot chocolate from The Depot next door while awaiting Santa and Mrs. Claus’s entrance.
Santa and Mrs. Claus didn’t just wave from the crowd—they went up in style. With help and supervision from the Riverton Volunteer Fire Department, the Clauses climbed into the bucket of the firetruck and were lifted toward the top of the towering evergreen that anchors the park. As everyone counted down, phones held high for video, the tree burst into color as cheers rolled across the park at the 8th annual event.
“It started eight years ago. Someone on the Community Engagement Committee said, ‘Why don’t we do a Christmas tree lighting?’ and we said, ‘Why don’t we?’” Mary Axthelm recalled with a laugh. That first event came together in just three weeks. Today, the committee no longer exists, but Mary and Rusty Harris remain the last two originals still keeping the tradition alive each year.
This year’s lighting was also a reminder of why Jason’s Park is more than just a pretty setting. The Goodmans—Sandy and Dave, stood with their family watching the celebration unfold in the space they’ve lovingly tended for nearly three decades.
“In 1996, our son Jason passed away,” Sandy said. “The year after that, we went to City Council and said, ‘Hey, can we have that piece of land behind The Depot? We’ll take care of it.’… We’ve taken care of it since ’97”.
They planted trees, flowers, and eventually, memorial walls were added where bricks to honor loved ones can be placed.
“It’s such an honor to have him recognized,” Sandy said.
Even the Christmas tree itself carries a story. The evergreen was donated in 1997 by family friend Barbara Collins in memory of her husband, Roland.
“She bought the tree and planted it in ’97,” Sandy explained. “The tree is in his memory”.
From its origins as a simple community idea in 2018 to a crowd-drawing annual celebration, the tree lighting has become a moment where the Riverton community comes together. The kids running around in mittens don’t need to know the history to feel its warmth, but their parents and grandparents often do.
And as Santa and Mrs. Claus waved from the bucket truck and the lights blinked to life across a tree planted decades ago in honor of a neighbor now gone, the whole evening felt like Riverton at its best—tradition, remembrance, and celebration all wrapped together in one bright December night.
Santa and Mrs. Claus greet kids from the crowd after arriving to Jason’s Park by fire truck. Members of the Riverton Volunteer Fire Department stand for a group photo at the 2025 Riverton Community Christmas Tree Lighting on December 7th. The Goodman Family attends the 2025 Riverton Community Christmas Tree Lighting. From left to right: Landon, Owen (a friend), Shay, Sandy, Joshua, and Dave. Sandy and husband Dave are the parents of Jason Goodman who died in 1996, for whom Jason’s Park is named. People mingle around fire pits and kids hang ornaments while waiting for Mr and Mrs Claus to arrive and light the tree. The 8th Annual Riverton Tree Lighting event was attended by over 100 people, including numerous families and scores of kids excited for the fun. 
Kids were invited to hang ornaments around the base of the tree while they waited and sipped hot cocoa from the Depot. Fire Pits provided by Porter’s Mountain View Supply kept everyone warm. Mary Axthem (left) and Rusty Harris (right) organized the 8th Annual Riverton Community Christmas Tree Lighting event, being the only two volunteers left from the original City of Riverton Community Engagement Committee that originally spearheaded the event.
h/t Will Hill, County 10