PITTSTON TWP. — Local PBS affiliate WVIA gave members of its staff and membership a chance to say goodbye to one of its most popular shows on Sunday.

The station hosted a party to celebrate the series finale of “Downton Abbey,” a show that follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawly family and their servants in the early 20th Century.

“This is something different,” Doug Spit, of Effort, said. “We’re really having a good time.”

Dressed in a kilt, Spit said that bagpipers had appeared several times throughout the series.

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“Not in the castle though,” he said. “That was strictly British.”

Spit wasn’t the only one that came in costume to the party. Margaret Messana, of Clarks Summit, came dressed as “Lady Violet,” one of the show’s characters.

Messana said she loved the show because of its storylines and attention to details.

“Everything was so well done, from the placement of dinnerware to costuming,” she said. “They must have researched like crazy.”

WVIA President Tom Currá said the event reflected WVIA’s “outward-facing” model, which emphasizes responsiveness to community input.

“It’s about those we serve, not us,” he said.

The event was authentic even down to its menu, which included Welsh rarebit, homemade crumpets, rocket salad and wine-soaked red velvet cake.

Women from Queen Victoria’s Court — a group of women interested in Victorian-era fashion — assumed roles of the show’s characters for a fashion show during the event. All 10 women involved said they were avid viewers of “Downton Abbey” and enjoyed portraying some of the heroes, villains and servants from the show.

Many of them said that fashion had been a favorite part of the series for them.

Neil Prisco, WVIA promotions director, said the premiere of the finale that was shown at the conclusion of the event would satisfy viewers, bringing the program and its viewers full circle.

Prisco said he couldn’t have been more pleased with the turnout for the event.

Currá said the studio is looking forward to holding similar events in the future.

“Our focus,” he said, “has always been on education, civic engagement and public safety.”

Joseph Glynn serves guests at the Downton Abbey luncheon at WVIA studios in Jenkins Twp on Sunday. 3/3/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL030716downton-Abbey1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJoseph Glynn serves guests at the Downton Abbey luncheon at WVIA studios in Jenkins Twp on Sunday. 3/3/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader

Jacqueline Magam, Bill Raczko and Joyce Raczko chat at the Downton Abbey Luncheon at WVIA on Sunday. 3/6/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL030716downton-Abbey2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJacqueline Magam, Bill Raczko and Joyce Raczko chat at the Downton Abbey Luncheon at WVIA on Sunday. 3/6/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader

Lady Deborah DeBilly Dit Courville is helped by Anne Berardelli with her jewelery. 3/6/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL030716downton-Abbey3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLady Deborah DeBilly Dit Courville is helped by Anne Berardelli with her jewelery. 3/6/2016 Aimee Dilger|Times Leader

By Geri Gibbons

ggibbons@timesleader.com

Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons