Living nativity will return to The Circle

The Good Ole Boy Foundation has been given the green light to stage its living nativity on The Circle in Georgetown again this Christmas season.

This year's event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. each night from Friday, Dec. 18, through Christmas Eve on Thursday, Dec. 24, ending with a candlelight service.

Last year, the foundation’s first living nativity was in direct response to a nativity display's removal from The Circle. Town of Georgetown officials adopted a new policy prohibiting unattended private displays, which included a long-standing, 10-piece nativity display placed there by Georgetown Wesleyan Church. That display is now in front of Shepherd's Office, 408 N. Bedford St., Georgetown.

“Last year, we couldn't get out there soon enough,” said K.C. Conaway, one of the organizers. “This year, we want to keep the tradition alive.”

The foundation's plan to comply with state-of-emergency restrictions was approved by state officials late last week. Conaway said spectators will be required to wear face coverings when they can't social distance from other people.

In addition, he said, the organizers are planning to change the way volunteer actors are chosen. “We want to limit the amount of groups taking part, and would prefer to have large families and households participating so we can stage them together. We will keep people safe.”

“We were really amazed last year at the support and participation we had from local churches,” he said. This year, Conaway said, only one church at a time will provide volunteers.

“We feel comfortable with the plan we have. It's not much different than any other event you would go to in 2020,” Conaway said. “The governor encourages outdoor events, and we think we can minimize any risks. We've simplified what we do and it will be better.”

Conaway said volunteers with event-production backgrounds have been added to the team. “They are challenging us to take our presentation to another level,” he said.

Because of the town's policy, each night, foundation volunteers must set up and take down the nativity stage and move it about a block to the Georgetown Fire Company property. “Every night, it's a reset. It's a Herculean effort to do that each night. But because we had to move it on and off, it's brought us more together,” Conaway said.

The Good Ole Boy Foundation, based in Millsboro, was founded to mobilize the community in an effort to unite resources and assist families in their time of unforeseen difficulties, including illness, fires, financial hardships and accidents. The foundation also supports youth activities.

For more information, or to make a donation, go to goodoleboyfoundation.com.