Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the city of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus Christ’s birth right here in La Crosse.
Since 1980, English Lutheran Church has been putting on the interactive recreation event every couple years. Over 300 members work as cast and crew to make the city come to life. The church expects a minimum of 2,000 people to visit The Bethlehem Event over the weekend.
Deb Bemis, dressed as a shepherd’s wife, holds a living chicken Tuesday at English Lutheran Church where preparations are underway for “The Bethlehem Event,” a recreation of the city of David at the time of Jesus Christ’s birth. The event will be held Dec. 17 and 18 at the church.
“I think the greatest part of the experience is the way that you’re transported to the time of Bethlehem. We have over 25 shops, everyone’s in costume, the animals are there, the cave is there,” said Peter Bemis, who is chair of the Bethlehem committee and plays a shepherd in the production. “So you get those smells, the sights, hearing the sounds of the animals. It’s really engaging and transporting to the time.”
The city of Bethlehem is recreated in the church’s fellowship hall and includes a newborn baby as Jesus, craft makers and a variety of shops, such as fruit stands, potters and bakers to take part in the retelling of the story of Bethlehem.
Goats, sheep, a donkey and chickens add to the sounds and smells of Bethlehem. The animals are provided by Rainbow Ridge Farm in Onalaska, which has been partnering with English Lutheran in this endeavor for over 20 years.
Bethlehem Event volunteer, Marge Buncalk, works with camel hair while demonstrating how yarn was dyed during media day for the upcoming Bethlehem Event at English Lutheran Church.
“It is one thing to read it and to read the Bible and to read histories. It’s another thing to really have the tactile experience of being there,” said Mark Kvale, senior pastor at English Lutheran.
The Bethlehem Event started as cardboard refrigerator boxes as an interactive way to teach the Sunday School students about Bethlehem. Since then, the event has grown to be a life-sized village complete with structures and murals.
The event is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to visit. On average, people spend 30 to 45 minutes at The Bethlehem Event.
The event will take place Dec. 17 and 18 from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but visitors must pre-register at www.englishlutheran.org beginning on Nov. 15.
Santa gets ready to flip the switch
The new Rotary Lights mascots, Katie Watt, left, and Kilo Watt
Rotary Lights opens its 27th year Friday night in Riverside Park.
The crowd takes in opening night at Riverside Park. For a photo gallery and video from the celebration, go to lacrossetribune.com.
Opening night at Rotary Lights
Opening night at Rotary Lights
Opening night at Rotary Lights
Children watch the singing lights of Rotary Lights Friday night.
Rotary lights vistors walk through a light tunnel
Lights reflect off a car in a light tunnel.
Members of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod sing Christmas music during the opening night Rotary Lights.
A sign celebrates Jesus’ birthday
Fireworks explode over Pettibone Park.
Opening night at Rotary Lights
Girls Scouts walk in the Rotary Lights Parade.
The Riverfest float on Main Street
“I think the greatest part of the experience is the way that you’re transported to the time of Bethlehem. We have over 25 shops, everyone’s in costume, the animals are there, the cave is there.”
Peter Bemis, chair of the Bethlehem committee
The English Lutheran Church event is open to the public. The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 17-18. Admission is free, but visitors must pre-register at www.englishlutheran.org.
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Chloe Hilles is the local government reporter at the La Crosse Tribune and a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She can be reached at @chloehilles on Twitter or (608) 769-7303.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Braden Slama is an exceptional math student, technology whiz and student athlete. He is also a student with autism, both a challenge and a gif…
Viroqua Middle School has released its Term 1 honor roll for the 2022-2023 school year.
Viroqua’s chief of police has been placed on a 10-day unpaid suspension, following a vote by the city’s police commission Dec. 7.
The Viroqua Police Commission held a meeting and public hearing Nov. 30 to discuss charges filed by the mayor against Chief of Police Richard …
The 2022 tree might have been a bit off kilter this year, but that did not deter 60-some Westby area citizens from keeping their community’s C…
Remington came in as a stray, so we don’t know much about her past. During the day she does a pretty good job at keeping her kennel clean. We …
McIntosh Memorial Library of Viroqua, in partnership with Vernon County UW-Extension, are pleased to announce the creation of a new 4-H club. …
Three candidates have been invited to interview for the La Crosse County administrator position. They are Jane Klekamp, Larry Bierke and Scott Feldt.
Sheriff John Spears reports the following ongoing activities for the year and narrative excerpts from the week ending Dec. 12.
The Tomah Area School District was recently honored by the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association with three Spectrum Awards of Excelle…
Deb Bemis, dressed as a shepherd’s wife, holds a living chicken Tuesday at English Lutheran Church where preparations are underway for “The Bethlehem Event,” a recreation of the city of David at the time of Jesus Christ’s birth. The event will be held Dec. 17 and 18 at the church.
Bethlehem Event volunteer, Marge Buncalk, works with camel hair while demonstrating how yarn was dyed during media day for the upcoming Bethlehem Event at English Lutheran Church.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.