The Live Nativity In Bluffdale

The Live Nativity in Bluffdale (Formerly The Riverview Stake Live Nativity in Draper) is free to the community. This event will be held on December 1-4, 2014 from 6-9 p.m.

Here are some interesting Nativity Facts:
The Live Nativity is a 17 year tradition
*Cast of over 150 characters each night
*200 detailed period costumes were hand dyed, hand sewn and are used in the production each night.
*Dixie the Donkey has been with the Nativity for 6 years.
*The Camel has been in the Nativity for about 5 years as well.
*Live animals used in the presentation Camel, Donkey, Sheep, Goats, Chickens and even an occasional mouse.
*Over 1000 recreated Bethlehem props are used as part of the sets.
*The Live Nativity takes about 15 minutes to walk through. There is only one speaking part in the production “The Inn Keeper” He delivers 7 words… What do you think those 7 words are?
*Three years ago we added a Tax Collector set, and a Basket Weaver.
*Last year, a Wool Weaver set has been added complete with an authentic looking period loom
*This year we have added two new sets, a Wool dyer and Field Shepherds.
*A full flat bed trailer of live Palm Fronds are transported from St. George to the Nativity each year to create our palm trees and to thatch some of our buildings
*The Nativity once required 3 full months of construction. This year it was accomplished in half the time.
*Hundreds of youth were involved in painting the backgrounds of the set originally.
*The hundreds of square feet of sets, props and technical equipment are store off season in a single semi trailer.
*The sets are constructed of 100’s of feet of steel tubing and hundreds of sheets of exterior masonite that have been hand painted and transformed into Disney quality movie q sets.
*The first music sound tract and sound effects for the Nativity were recorded at KSL sound studios.
*The first Nativity was created in the old Anderson Barn and was heated by a wood stove.
*The Nativity today is heated with a forced air furnace.
*The concept of the Nativity was created by a newly called Bishop wanting to give the members of his ward and his neighbors an opportunity to all come together in a common purpose; Celebrating the Birth of the Savior in a special Way. This became a tradition in their neighborhood and quickly spread into the community when the word got out that this was really something special to experience. When the crowds grew too large for the barn, plans were made to create the all new Nativity as it is now presented. The number of sets doubled out onto the grounds, the newly constructed pavilion was transformed into the winding Streets of Bethlehem, housing costumed characters portraying the travelers crowded in to this little village to pay their taxes. And hidden in a quiet spot from the hustle and bustle of the town, a tiny manger was created to shelter Mary and Joseph and the tiny sleeping baby Jesus. This scene takes your breath away. it is tender and sweet and allows the viewer to be taken out of their crazy world for a moment and personally celebrate the humble birth of the Savior of the World.
*The Live Nativity although sponsored by the local LDS stake has enjoyed a warm relationship of help and support from other faiths and community groups in the area.
*In year three of the Nativity, the roles of the Three Kings were filled with a Muslim, A Catholic, and a Polygamist.
*Many neighbors not of the LDS Faith become part of the cast and crew each year.
*Over the Years the role of Baby Jesus has been portrayed by an African American, a beautiful Oriental newborn, a baby with Down syndrome, and here’ a secret, we have also used a lot of girl babies to play the role of baby Jesus. Don’t tell anyone!
* All of our live babies were born no later than September of this year, some of them have been under a month old.
*The Nativity has never excepted any form of admission cost or donation to visit this Christmas event. We want all to come and enjoy this Christmas experience together with out any cost obligation.
*Youth of the area gather hundreds of bundles of cat tails, river reeds, willows and Indian tobacco and corn stocks, to be used in the sets, as a service project.
*1000’s of hours have been given by our friends and neighbors to present the Nativity each year.
*We have tracked visitors who have driven from as far as St. George, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Wyoming just to visit the Nativity each year as part of their family Christmas tradition.
*The Nativity has run consistently for 14 years straight with the exception of 2 years ago, when the sponsor of the event decided to not add to the hours of service the members of the stake were giving for the Draper Utah Temple open house.
*We estimate that over the 14 years of presenting the Live Nativity, over 235,000 guests have visited us. We have never advertised the Nativity because we believe like the Movie says,.. “If we build something that is wholesome, worthwhile, has a commonality for a broad spectrum of faiths and nationalities, is family friendly, and leaves you a little better person for having been there,… “they will come”.
Sponsors of the Live Nativity: The Stake Presidency of the Bluffdale and Bluffdale south Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Construction supervisor: John Andrus
Costume directors: Kelly Pack,
Casting coordinator: Briggs
Creative designer and Production Director: Steve Buntjer
1000’s of wonderful volunteers over the years

Helpful hints for Families visiting the Nativity:
Come early! People start lining up at 5:00 each night. The lines get somewhat long at times, but we provide things to see on your journey to Bethlehem. What you see inside is worth the wait!
*Dress in Warm clothes, some of the presentation is outdoors. We never know what the weather is going to be, so dress appropriately.
*We ask guests and especially youth groups and large groups to be reverent when you enter into Bethlehem past the Roman Guard so that all will be able to feel the spirit of the presentation.
*Our attendants will direct you to your parking space, please drive slowly, and be courteous to other guests. There is usually parking in the stake parking lot. Please don’t park on 7th west. If you live close to the Nativity site, please walk with your family.
*We have accommodations for older folks especially in wheel chairs and walkers, and people with special needs. Just ask one of the greeters or attendance to issue you a Special Pass So that one of our greeters might help you with your needs.
*There is a first aid station inside the east door of the Stake center. Rest rooms are limited.
*We ask that if you are planning a get together after or before the Nativity as part of your group celebration, that you do not hold it in our parking lot, because our parking is always limited during the Nativity performances.
* If you are interested in volunteering for a cast role or in the crew of the 2011 Nativity, please contact The Draper Utah Riverview Stake for more information by October 2011.
* PLEASE NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY inside of the Bethlehem sets as it disrupts the night time effect of the scenes, and it is hard on the eyes of our cast members, who’s eyes are adjusted to the dim candlelight atmosphere. Thank you!
*COME AND ENJOY THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS, BRING YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY.