Habitat for Humanity is providing a special opportunity for area residents to share their nativity sets and their unique stories as the Nativity Festival returns on Sunday, Dec. 14. This year’s event will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
Owners of nativity sets are invited to display one or more of their favorites at the festival by calling Hollie Roberts to reserve space at 515-386-0108 days or 515-386-4555 evenings. Displays will be set up by their owners between 12:30 and 2 pm the day of the festival, with the public display opening at 3 pm.
There is not a cost to display nativity sets and there is not an admission charge to attend the Nativity Festival. Free will donations toward the local efforts of Habitat for Humanity will be accepted.
The Nativity Festival also features many accomplished musicians in a community Christmas concert, followed by a soup supper and auction of masterpiece-quality pies from the area’s most accomplished bakers. The concert begins at 4 pm in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, with the soup supper and auction following at 5:15 in the spacious fellowship hall.
Loaned nativity sets can be picked up immediately following the soup supper or on the following Monday.
A limited number of nativity sets are also being accepted by donation to be offered for sale through silent auction with proceeds going to local Habitat for Humanity efforts. Those wishing to donate a nativity set are asked to contact Roberts as well.
A custom nativity set crafted for the event by Sticks, a nationally-acclaimed art studio in Des Moines, will be on final display during the Nativity Festival with a silent auction concluding at the end of the event. Sarah Grant, the founder and original artist of Sticks, will be the special guest of journalist Chuck Offenburger during a public interview event at the Gallup House in Jefferson on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 pm. This event is open to the public and there is not an admission charge. A free will offering benefitting the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate will be accepted.
Several distinctive nativity sets using an array of construction materials and with fascinating stories of origin have already been committed to the festival display, but there is still space available.
