Walnut Creek's 'signature event' Journey to Bethlehem plays out Friday & Saturday

WALNUT CREEK TWP. ‒ Over the past several years, the Walnut Creek Business Association has teamed with businesses and organizations to create an event that simulates the trek undertaken by Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.

The pair made their way to Bethlehem to register for the census so they could pay taxes to the Romans. It was in Bethlehem where Mary gave birth to a baby and laid him in a manger.

And, just as in biblical times, there won't be any room at the inn, due to the popularity of the Walnut Creek event.

Last year's event brought visitors from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. And the 2022 Journey to Bethlehem is no different.

Staff at Carlisle Village Inn said they are at capacity for the weekend. All 52 rooms are booked.

Registration for the Journey to Bethlehem begins Friday at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church on County Road 144, where visitors are provided a map of stops showing shops in the village. While the event begins at 4 p.m., hundreds of visitors traditionally start lining up well before.

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A new family tradition

The Rev. Charlie Grimes, pastor of Walnut Creek Mennonite Church, believes the reason the event is so successful is because it has become a family custom for many over the years.

"I've been involved for a couple of years here, and I feel it's become a family tradition," Grimes said. "Families in generations; grandma and grandpa bring their kids, then their grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren come along in strollers.

"I think another thing is the spirit of teamwork here within our community," he said. "All of the businesses which are involved in the Walnut Creek Business Association, which the church is one of those organizations, we just bind our resources together each year and try to welcome people with a great celebration of the Christmas season, and everything it means to all of us."

Stops along the Journey to Bethlehem

The event includes some shopkeepers in costume who replicate the marketplace of early times. Grimes said it is expertly done in a professional manner.

"We do a mock-up of the city of Bethlehem, in a kind of neat play on the scriptural story where Joseph and Mary had to check in for the census," he said. "We are the first stop where kids can meet some of the shepherds roaming around, hear some of the wonderful music in our sanctuary, where we've got some singing groups entertaining. It kicks off the experience where you check in, get a map, get a lay of the land and some direction as to where to go next."

Choirs and carolers will be singing, and shepherds tending their flocks will be out along with other biblical characters. Vendors will offer seasonal snacks and warm drinks.

The sojourn ends with a live Nativity scene at the Farm at Walnut Creek. Visitors are transported via a wagon ride from the parking lot to enjoy the manger scene with live animals, a choir and other treats.

"The Farm at Walnut Creek is the pinnacle of the event, where you see the manger scene, shepherds singing together," Grimes said. "They do a marvelous job. It is just so well done. The word has spread to say, 'Hey, you have got to see this.' It has become a signature event for us here in Walnut Creek."

Stops along the journey may be visited in any order. Both walking and driving is required. Admission is free and no preregistration is required. Hours Friday and Saturday are 4-8 p.m.

Organizers suggest visitors make sure to bundle up and prepare for cold weather, as many of the activities take place outside.

For more information, call 330-893-4200.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Walnut Creek readies for popular Journey to Bethlehem event