Away in a manger in Stateline

STATELINE — It would take more than rain to extinguish the Christmas spirit at Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway. 

The wintry weather didn’t stop a handful of volunteers from putting together the fifth annual Night in Bethlehem Saturday, which will also take place at the Speedway from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today, and again Dec. 16-17. 

“There are two parts to this,” Stateline Speedway owner Luke Kjar said. “It's obviously highlighting the Christ back in Christmas. And the other part is helping people in need. And so we have a massive giving tree. There have been thousands and thousands of gifts given by community members to the people in need in different local charities, so that’s been really awesome.” 

The Night in Bethlehem is unique in a few ways. First, it’s more than just a nativity, it’s a reenactment of the biblical story of Jesus’ birth. 

“It’s my favorite one,” said Joy Chance of 2nd Chance Ranch. She has brought her rescue animals to a dozen local church Nativity scenes, and she loves the one at Stateline Speedway, where hearing Mary sing live brings her to tears.

Another major difference is that it’s non-denominational and not put on by any church group. 

“This isn’t sponsored,” Kjar said. “A lot of people think this is sponsored by some church or organization. I think it’s because we aren’t sponsored by a church, that we can share a Christmas message that everyone agrees with.”

Like most things he does, Kjar started the enactment to bring together the community.

“When I moved up here I always had a problem with Stateline Speedway not being open in the wintertime. What could be done with it?” he said. “And so I had an idea to bring the true meaning of Christmas back to the area and into the community and build a totally community-led Nativity. Everybody comes with this pureness. It’s cool.”

The reenactment is interactive and nearly entirely free, and run mostly by volunteers. 

“I think it’s hard for people to wrap their head around that it’s something religious, and no organization that has religion tied to it is putting it on,” Stateline Speedway manager Matt Alexander said. “And I think that scares some people for some reason.” 

Attendees can wander through the manger, pet animals from 2nd Chance Ranch, and use a replica of a widow’s mite, a 2,000-year-old coin, to buy hot chocolate or crafts from the small store. There’s a currency exchange for $5 per mite and anyone who donates over $250 will get a real 2,000-year-old mite. Everything else is free. 

Kids can hammer out a ring, shoot a bow and arrow or watch a blacksmith work. 

“I’m excited about the animals,” shouted Maddie Higgins, 6. 

Her family attended for a little bit of everything. A family-friendly event that’s free with a lesson about Jesus checks all the Higgins’ boxes.

“This is our second year,” Maddie’s father, Jeff Higgins, said. “It’s just a good family event we found last year.” 

Organizing the event takes about two volunteers, two employees and two weeks. 

“To bring the containers out and set out the awnings and do the face work to it, it takes about two weeks,” Alexander said. “Just for the two guys to do it. And then all the hay and all the leather tack is done a few days prior. You have no idea what we could accomplish with just one more volunteer.”

Kids help set up the hay or add finishing touches to the displays the night of each event. Other supporters show up to perform the night of the enactments. Rebecca Kjar, Luke’s wife, volunteers to dress everyone. She brings in the costumes and armor. Alexander’s wife makes hot chocolate. 

Men in full armor walk around in the cold and snow as kids warm themselves by a few fires. 

“We just do this because,” Alexander said. “We do it because we’re able to help families. By the families that come, we’re able to help families in the Pacific Northwest have a better Christmas.”

    Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway owner Luke Kjar stands under the boughs of a giving tree. The community can take tags from the tree to buy gifts for families in need referred by Newby-Ginnings.
  

    2nd Chance Ranch owner Joy Chance and her Llama Hermione participate in a Nativity reenactment at Stateline Speedway on Saturday. Chance also brought several sheep which were led by a shepherd during the enactment.
  

    David Walker of Fire Iron Forge volunteers to display some works and to make new ones during A Night of Bethlehem at Stateline Speedway.
  

    A sheep participating in a petting zoo before being led through a manger by a shepherd as part of a Nativity reenactment at Stateline Speedway on Saturday.
  

    From left, Laurie, Jeff, Peyton and Maddie Higgins warm up by a fire before a reenactment of Jesus' birth at Stateline Speedway on Saturday.
  

    Ryan Fobes volunteers at the Night at Bethlehem and teaches kids to hammer rings.