HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE FEATURES OVER 400 UNIQUE NATIVI

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO

The third annual "Nativities Around the World" event is scheduled for December 6-8th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cape Girardeau. This free event is the only of it's kind and size in the area and a great way to kick off the holiday season.

The event will take place Friday, December 6, through Sunday, Dec 8th from 5-8pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 1048 W. Cape Rock Dr. in Cape Girardeau. There will be a Christmas devotional starting at 7:00pm on Sunday evening, December 8th. The display and devotional are open to all who wish to attend.

Over 30 local families donate their time, decor and nativity displays collected from over 30 different countries. The Baker family in St. Louis began collecting nativity sets while touring overseas in military service. Their collection of 452 unique nativity displays will be featured, including a hand crafted olive wood nativity from Jerusalem. Others come from various parts of Africa, South America, Europe and North America.

This community event has grown since 2011 and will be different each year as new nativities are added. Shelby Caldwell is a Cape Girardeau resident and organizer of the event. Always enthusiastic, she often encourages those she knows who are traveling to bring back a nativity as a souvenir. She recently acquired an Alaskan nativity set when her husband traveled to Alaska on a fishing expedition this summer. The unique set features the northern lights as the stable and walruses as the attending animals! From the smallest sets, like the Santon figures from Marseille, France, to the largest wood carving from right here in Missouri, it is inspiring to see how each artist, culture and country represents the nativity scene in their own meaningful way.

This is the third year of Nativities Around the World. Everyone is welcome to this family-friendly, wheel chair accessible event. It takes about 20 minutes to walk through the display with the option to browse longer if desired. There is a self-guided scavenger hunt for those who like a challenge, enjoy a bit of fun, or wish to keep children well entertained.

Sunday will feature live music throughout the evening and a Christmas devotional starting at 7:00pm. If you are interested in performing or having your choir or church group perform during the event, please contact Marilyn Zaruba at 335-1048. If you are interested in a group tour, please contact Shelby Caldwell at 803-1126.