RANGELEY — Rangeley Friends of the Arts will sponsor two programs to celebrate the Christmas season: a Christmas concert by the Rangeley Community Chorus on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and a “Walk to Bethlehem” pageant on Sunday, Dec. 11.
“A Holiday Invitation” will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of the Good Shepherd. The music will be directed by Sue Downes-Borko, and the program will include “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Night of Silence.” The 23-member chorus will be accompanied by Andrea Keirstead. Tickets ($10) will be available at the door.
The 34th annual “Walk to Bethlehem” is a gift to the community from the Rangeley Friends of the Arts. Walkers and carolers are invited to join the costumed pageant participants as they stroll through the streets of Rangeley, stopping at each of the four churches (Catholic, Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal) asking for a place to stay.
Each year, a local couple with their new baby portrays Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Many townsfolk portray shepherds, angels, Three Wise Men. The costumes created by Barbara Meservey decades ago are still used.
The celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of the Rangeley Inn as a proclamation is read.
The evening will conclude at the Church of the Good Shepherd with a program that highlights local musicians and performers. This year’s program will feature the Rangeley Bell Ringers, Rangeley Community Chorus, Young Children’s Choir, the RLRS Choir and a dance number by the Lakeside Dance Academy. The pageant participants will process to the front of the Church of the Good Shepherd as the Christmas scripture is read.
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- The Walk to Bethlehem Pageant in 2010 included Mary, Joseph and the Babe, Lindsay, Brad, Elyse Kennett; Three Wise Men, Rudy Davis, Les Hoekstra, George Washington; Shepherds, Ian Lillis, Nash Gagnon, Joseph Emerson; and Angels, Sophie Chu-O’Neil and Amber Morrill.
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