A Night in Bethlehem, a community-wide Nativity display, will allow the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and share a Christmas dinner with the community as well.

The Night in Bethlehem first began three-years ago with a small group brainstorming proposed events honoring the Nativity of Christ. The aforementioned brainstorming committee was composed of Heather Polen as the chairwoman, Burton and Cherstin Sparks, Michelle Kruse, Pat Bruch, Carrie Olsen and Cordell and Michele Wistson.

The idea originated with Polen, who was inspired by a live Nativity show performed at a Church of Latter-Day Saints in Casper, Wyoming. Polen told the Herald that she was so impressed with it that she began to wonder how Lusk could hold a Nativity of its own. Polen and her small group of brainstormers began asking the churches of Lusk to share their own Nativities with the community.

Now in its third year, a Night in Bethlehem has become a popular event with residents. Last year, there were over 100 displays. Polen said that, initially, only 50 Nativity displays were planned. However, 50 were added.

During the event, Christmas cookies and refreshments are served and children are provided with Christmas crafts to work on.

“It is a nice, quiet setting and everyone seems to enjoy it,” Polen said.

Anyone wishing to display a Nativity scenes or artwork depicting the Nativity is invited to share. Polen also encourages local artists to share their works of the Nativity.

“We welcome local artists,” Polen said. “We would love to see what people have.”

Set up for the Night in Bethlehem will be on Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m. till 12 p.m. at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds.

Last year’s event coincided with the VFW’s Christmas Dinner, which is enjoyed by both veterans and the community. This happy accident is now a holiday tradition. This year, the VFW and other agencies will be hosting the Christmas dinner along with the Nativity displays.

According to Ed Tirado, Post Commander of Niobrara VFW #3511, the meal will be provided by VFW Auxiliary #3511, American Legion Posts #1 and #4. This is free to all veterans, their families and the community. Last year, over 30 people attended the dinner.

“We decided that, this year, we would officially partner with the Night in Bethlehem,” Tirado said. “We hadn’t planned it last year, but it worked out so well, we decided to do it again this year.”

According to Tirado, there are still VFW calendars to be sold. The calendars can be purchased at the Best Western.

It will be an eventful night for everyone to enjoy Christmas festivities. Both Night in Bethlehem and the VFW Christmas Dinner will be held on December 14. The Night of Bethlehem will open its doors at 2 p.m. at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds and will run until 6 p.m. The VFW Christmas dinner will be held on the same night at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m.

If anyone would like to display their Nativity for the evening, contact Heather Polen at (307)216-0532 for more information.