Nativity Festival returns Dec. 13-15

Hundreds of nativity scenes will again fill the Smokey Point Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as part of the Arlington Nativity Festival this month.

All community members are invited to attend the free festival on Dec. 13, 14 and 15, held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

Locals are free to drop in during any time during those days.

The event is held at 17222 43rd Ave. NE, Arlington.

The Arlington Nativity Festival is something the local church has put on many times in the past.

“They have organized this a number of times, although they didn’t have one last year,” said Mary Levesque, a member of the church and one of the organizers for the event.

This year the event is back though, she said.

“The members of our church love to share their faith,” with others from the Arlington community, said Levesque.

During the event the church is filled with hundreds of nativity scenes that range in size and construction.

“The adults like to see all the nativities that come from all around the world,” said Levesque.

There is also a live nativity scene that is held as part of the festival.

Fun for the kids will also be available as part of the event.

“The kids like all the children’s activities and the games,” said Levesque. “There will be a lot of Christmas activities and games."

Some of those activities and games typically include things like coloring and constructing puzzles, said Levesque.

She said she enjoys bringing her family down to the event each year.

“My favorite part of the event is just showing my kids that Christmas is fun,” she said.

The church is also filled with melodies as part of the Nativity Festival.

“I like listening to the music, it just gives me a peaceful feeling,” said Levesque.

There is a choir concert during the final day of the event on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., as well.

The church invites all community members to come down for the event.

“It helps bring good feelings to the community,” said Levesque.

“We are super grateful that our community has been so welcoming,” she said, adding that church members look forward to providing this Nativity Festival again for Arlington locals.