Voted the Best Minnesota Live Nativity by WCCO TV in 2017, the 40-minute pageant, based on The Christmas Story according to St. Luke, is presented free of charge, a gift of the Springfield community and the Springfield Area Nativity Theatre Association (SANTA).

Pageant technical director Nick Dauer said last Sunday night’s strong winds blew down some of the props but pageant volunteers set them back up.

Dauer talked about why he enjoys the pageant.

“It’s about the true meaning of Christmas. I love the way it brings the community together,” said Dauer. Pageant artistic director Justin “Hoover” Hillescheim said he has a “strong sense of appreciation for the people who volunteer their time and talents.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Springfield Nativity Pageant Kings Ed Meidl, left; and Pastor Rick Frederickson, center, walk and ride camels in the pageant rehearsal Thursday just west of the Springfield Community Center.

“I love seeing the smiles on kid’s faces when they see camels close up and when goats drag them around,” Hillesheim said.

Dennis Potter said the pageant is a family tradition and a way to give back to the community.

Potter’s wife Lucy is pageant costume coordinator.

“I love the Christmas pageant. It involves families and the whole community,” she said. “It’s about the true meaning of Christmas. It’s the best thing.”

“This is about what’s important about Christmas, Christ’s birth,” said John Mueller.

Pastor Rick Frederickson plays a Wise Man.

“The pageant really brings the community together. It’s fun to see so many people of many different walks of life sharing the Christmas story,” Frederickson said.

The pageant includes Christmas carols sung by a live community choir.

Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly by bringing items like blankets and stadium robes.

Everyone is encouraged to join the pageant crew and cast for holiday refreshments served by the Brookville-Burnstown 4-H Club in the community center after the pageant.