By Helen Wilbers
How often do you get to see a horse dressed like a camel? Here’s your chance.
Area families may experience a living Nativity this evening and Saturday at the Veterans Park amphitheater, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sponsored by Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Hatton, the Nativity includes live animals –including the horse dressed as a camel.
“Last year was our first, and we estimated over 600 people attended between the two nights,” said organizer Sara Borcherding. “We’re hoping for even more this year. … It’s always popular with kids.”
She invites one and all to come enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, a live choir of Christmas carolers and live readings of the story of Jesus’ birth every 45 minutes. Members of the church play characters in the Christmas story.
Borcherding said her favorite part of the annual event is watching the children react to the live animals.
“I’m pretty sure some of them thought the horse was a real camel last year,” she said. “It was kind of a surprise to me, since we live in rural area, but many of the kids didn’t seem to have had much contact with animals.”
She also loves the venue, with the wooden stage shelter and the stone seating.
“It’s so perfect,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe no one was using it.”
Borcherding suggested bringing a blanket to sit on when watching the live readings, as the rocks gets chilly.
Following the two nights of living Nativity, a stationary Nativity display will remain at the amphitheater throughout the month. Other groups, churches and organizations are welcome to visit the display for caroling and other activities, Borcherding said. She requested that they contact her over Facebook to set up such events.