On the evening of Friday, Nov. 28, Berlin staged its annual Live Nativity Parade, beginning at 5:45 p.m. at Sheiyah Market and proceeding through the town to the community stage. The procession culminated in a candlelighting ceremony, a Scripture reading by Larry Kaufman and carols led by Jeff Polen. The parade featured figures portraying Mary, Joseph, the Magi, angels and shepherds, with live animals provided by The Farm at Walnut Creek. Organizers said donations collected during the event will support Operation Christmas Child.

The event served as a focal point for downtown activity, drawing families and visitors into the commercial core at the outset of the holiday season. Local merchants and restaurants saw increased foot traffic as residents arrived early for parking and to take part in pre-parade festivities. For many attendees, the parade is both a religious observance and a civic ritual that signals the transition into holiday programming across the county.

From an institutional perspective, the parade highlights how community organizations coordinate public space, volunteer labor and charitable drives to produce seasonal events. The inclusion of a recognized international charity, Operation Christmas Child, links local volunteerism with broader philanthropic networks and provides a transparent destination for donations collected at the event. The presence of live animals, supplied by The Farm at Walnut Creek, underscores the logistical planning required for public events that incorporate livestock, including considerations of animal welfare, safety and liability that organizers must address in cooperation with local authorities.

Civic engagement was a visible element of the evening: volunteers, parish and civic groups typically supply the personnel to stage processions, manage crowds and collect charitable contributions. The ceremony’s use of the town stage reinforced municipal investment in shared public venues as sites for community ritual and county-wide gathering. Organizers encouraged visitors to arrive early to secure parking and enjoy downtown offerings, pointing to the economic as well as social value of anchoring holiday activity in the town center.

For residents, the parade is more than a seasonal spectacle; it is a recurring opportunity to come together, contribute to charity and support local businesses. As Berlin and Holmes County prepare for a full slate of holiday events, the parade’s blend of tradition, community participation and charitable focus may inform how local leaders and organizers plan public programming, manage logistics and sustain downtown vitality in the weeks ahead.