Williamsburg man sets up live Nativity scene at farm

Every three years or so Dennis Oliver sets up a live Nativity scene on his farm south of Williamsburg.

“It takes me that long to get motivated,” he says.

Since the last Nativity scene in 2006, Oliver has several new animals: Simon the camel, Snow White the donkey, Clover the alpaca and Tacora the llama, to name a few.

The mannequins representing Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus are the same ones Oliver has used since the early 1990s. They are housed in the Amish-built stable.

“People have volunteered to be live, but at three in the morning and three below (zero), they probably wouldn't enjoy it too much,” Oliver says.

So far, the weather has cooperated with Oliver's plans.

“December won't be bad according to the forecast,” he says. “Some years I don't do it because of the forecast.”

The mannequins can handle freezing weather, but it is taxing on the animals that are kept warm with heat lamps and bales of hay.

Along with the camel, Oliver bought several Jacob four-prong sheep at exotic animal sales across the country.

“There's not too many camels in the area,” he says.

After Oliver trains the young camel to be ridden, he plans to sell it in the spring.

Although the animals appear friendly, Oliver doesn't advise people to go near or touch them.

“The scene is visible from the road,” he says.

Lights illuminate the scene 24 hours a day through the end of December, so drivers along M Avenue won't miss it.

There is no donation box near the Nativity; Oliver says he sets up it up for “the pleasure of doing it.”

“It keep us in touch with the Christian past the country was founded on,” he says.