Soon to be featured in a children’s book, Humphrey the Camel, from Muhlenberg County, made an appearance at the live Nativity display during the weekend.
Numerous scenes were set on the chilly hillside in front of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Ky. 93, and passers-by were encouraged to either drive by the scenes --or park their vehicles for a more personal tour, depending upon the weather.
Friday was the only night Humphrey appeared, as he is touring during the Christmas season.
Inside the church social hall, there was much activity such as the church ladies preparing snacks and warm drinks.
The area also included space for costumers, who assisted the actors with their attire, which had to be layered with several pieces of warm clothing for the three-hour nightly performance. Each character had a certain area to dress, where the costumes and props were laid out and prepared for each performance.
Tom Garris, Rod Thorpe, and Jared Dunning provided the manpower and supplies for the construction, which consisted of several areas, such as the fruit and vegetable market, the tanner’s shed, the carpentry shop, the textiles and clothing shop, the inn, and the stable and manger.
Dunning also provided a donkey and some sheep. A census taker greeted each car load of visitors and provided a Christmas greeting and a welcome.
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1990. It is pastored by Robin Redd.