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Outdoor nativity pageant in Red Deer will be different this year

Productions to be held Dec. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 23 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ live nativity pageant in north Red Deer will look a little different this year. (Advocate file photo)

The Outdoor Live Nativity Pageant has been running for more than 40 years in the City of Red Deer, but the free event will look a little different this year.

The new pageant directors, Shanna and Nolan White, are taking a different approach to the production, which will be held Dec. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 23 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The outdoor shows run every 30 minutes.

Instead of having the audience seated and actors moving to an outdoor stage, this year’s live nativity will invite audience members to make the journey to discover the Christmas story.

“In past years, the audience has sat and watched a manger scene,” Shanna White says.

“This year, the audience will be led by a guide and follow Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. We’re hoping the experience will be more intimate and personal,” said Shanna White.

There will be new sets and scenes that were not in the previous pageant, Shanna White, adding there will be firepits outside to keep people warm.

In addition to the Outdoor Live Nativity Pageant outdoors, the Indoor Créche Display will return at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The display features more than 300 nativity scenes from around the world, as well as hot chocolate and cookies.

This is the first time Shanna and Nolan White have directed a Christmas pageant before, but Shanna has directed several productions in the past, including an Easter cantata that was ranked the number one Easter activity in Edmonton by the Edmonton Journal.

“The pageant has never been done like this anywhere before,” said Shanna White.

“There may be a few unexpected surprises, but change can be good. We’re hoping that the journey to Bethlehem will bring Christ back into Christmas and cause people to think about their own life journey.”

The Indoor Crèche Display will run Dec. 21-23 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night. The indoor and outdoor events will take place at 8 Keast Way at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Red Deer.

The Outdoor Live Nativity Pageant and Indoor Crèche Display is a Christmas gift to the community from local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People of all faiths are welcome to attend.



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