LEWISTON — The staff and congregation at Pathway Vineyard Church in Lewiston on Wednesday were busily adding the finishing touches to the backdrop of their live Nativity scene to mark the church’s 20th holiday extravaganza.
A giant foyer will serve as a canvas for a traditional rendition of the story of Jesus’ birth, complete with live animals. Attendees will be able to mill around the foyer during the performance and afterward.
This year’s theme is “Rustic Maine.” By Wednesday afternoon, all but the finishing touches and cleanup were done, complete with a 20-foot stream built from wood, plastic, fabric, sticks, stones, moss and water flowing through hoses and pumps. Dozens of real trees added to the smell and feel.
The Rev. Seth Vincent stood in the cavernous foyer at the Foss Road compound, holding a handful of remotes that control lights, music and water flow to the man-made stream, confused about which remote controlled what.
“I have been coming and volunteering at the annual Nativity for the past 17 years, but this is the first time I have been behind the scenes to see what it takes to make it happen,” he said. “I never realized the number of people involved and the time and talent they all bring — over 200 of them.”
The preparation for this year’s event started shortly after the curtain closed on last year’s performance. While auditions for Mary, Joseph and the cast of nearly 50 started in November, Linda Landry and her immediate and extended family began planning for their roles before the snow melted last year.
“We come up with an idea and draw up plans and start making parts and pieces throughout the year so we are ready to put it all together in the short time we have to build it all,” said Landry as she conducted the operation Sunday afternoon. “As soon as Sunday Mass ended (this past Sunday), we tried to be polite but hurried everyone out so we could get started.”
In the auditorium, the band and performers have been rehearsing. Staff and volunteers have been cooking the nearly 8,000 cookies that will be handed out with cider after each performance.
Last year, nearly 4,000 people came to the event, Vincent said. He figured each person would eat two cookies.
“We will have lots of cider, a chance to win a PS4, and more,” said Vincent, who was still pondering the remote controls.
Nativity 2016 performances
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9
2 p.m. and 5 p.m Saturday, Dec. 10
Admission is free.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
