Cedar Rapids Nativity Celebration features displays from around the world

CEDAR RAPIDS - Hundreds of Nativity and crèche scenes from around the world are to be on display when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4150 Blue Jay Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, hosts its annual Nativity Celebration Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The church is located at the corner of 42nd Street and Blue Jay Drive NE.

'It's really cool,” said Amy Foster, a member of the event's organizing committee. 'We usually have around 800. Last year, we had one from Fiji and instead of cattle, camels and donkeys, it had a whale and all these different sea creatures.”

Foster said other unique entries have come in over the years.

'Some are Native American where the crèche is a teepee and the holy family are Native Americans,” she said. 'One was from Africa and carved out of ebony.

'We get everything from your Precious Moments kind of thing to Fontanini, which is neat because people have collected a lot of different pieces over the years. I've even got a Veggie Tales one I'm putting out.”

Those who wish to display their set or collection of sets at this year's event can sign up online at crnativity.org.

Foster, who plans to display seven of her own sets this year, said the sign-up window closes Thursday. Owners of the sets are responsible for doing their own set up and take down.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is the restored Armstrong-Smulekoff Nativity, a nearly life-size, 12-piece plaster Nativity set that came to Cedar Rapids in 1959 as a window display in Armstrong's Department Store.

When Armstrong's went out of business in 1991, the set was purchased by Smulekoff's Furniture, which continued to display it through 2007.

The set was restored by the church after the 2008 flood, said Cary Jacobs, coordinator of the Nativity Celebration.

'It had sat in water for a couple of weeks,” said Jacobs. They offered it to us and said they were going to throw it out otherwise.”

A crew of volunteers set to work to save the figures.

'We were able to restore all of it,” Jacobs said. 'Joseph was broken in three pieces; we weren't sure he'd be able to make it.”

Jacobs said something on the set needs fixing each year, but it's worth it.

'That's a bid draw,” she said. 'It brings back a lot of memories for people. I remember looking at it when I was 9 years old.”

This year's event also includes light refreshments, children's crafts and a wide variety of music from local groups. There also is an optional art tour depicting scenes from Christ's life.

Though no admission fee is charged, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for a local food bank.

'It is fantastic to have so many people from this area and beyond participate through music or by displaying their collections,” said Jim Jezek, a committee member for the event. 'I particularly enjoy the musical talent that provides classic and contemporary Christmas entertainment.”

Upward of 2,000 people typically attend the Nativity Celebration, which began about 15 years ago, Jacobs said, noting many people who are not members of the church participate in displaying Nativity sets and also attend.

'We really like that,” she said. 'We consider this a community thing. It's a good way to start the Christmas season.”

If You Go

- What: Nativity Celebration

- When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

- Where: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4150 Blue Jay Drive NE, Cedar Rapids.

- Admission: Free; visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for a local food bank.

- Info: crnativity.org

Musical lineup

Here is a schedule of musical performances at this year's Nativity Celebration, Dec. 2-3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4150 Blue Jay Drive NE, Cedar Rapids. Organizers still are accepting groups who'd like to perform. Those interested should send an email to Amy Foster at auntamy.foster@gmail.com.

Friday, Dec. 2

- 11 a.m. - Marcey Luxa, piano; Bryce Christensen, violin; Roy Stover, flute

- Noon - The Vintage Jammers

- 3 p.m. - Kennedy High School String Orchestra

- 6 p.m. - Christy Den Beste and Kaydi Cutler, harp

- 7 p.m. - Rockwell Collins Brass Ensemble

- 8 p.m. - Carillonneurs of St Paul's United Methodist Church

Saturday, Dec. 3

- 11 a.m. - New Horizons Band

- Noon - Brass Quartet

- 1 p.m. - Iowa Accordion Club

- 1:30 p.m. - Young At Harp

- 2:30 - Leisle and Arianne Elmer

- 3:30 p.m. - Rockwell Collins Chorus

- 4 p.m. - Rockwell Collins Concert Band

- 5 p.m. - Christmas Brass

- 6 p.m. - Sheila Benson Harp