Wonderful world of Christmas
| Wednesday, Dec 09 2009 04:23 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Dec 09 2009 04:25 PM
GO & DO
What: Christmas Around the World
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where: Timeless Furnishings building, 1918 Chester Ave.
Admission: $8, $20 per family; children under 8 are free. Tickets are available at JM's and online at christmasworldevent.com.
Images
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian At the 2009 Christmas Around the World holiday event St Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church in Bakersfield has a display showing the nativity scene in a cave, as it often is scene in Egypt.
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian The caroling tradition in England is displayed at the Christmas Around the World holiday event held in the Timeless Furnishings building in Bakersfield.
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian A display of Joseph, Mary and Jesus fleeing to Egypt can be scene at the Christmas Around the World holiday event held in the Timeless Furnishings building in Bakersfield. The show runs from November 21 to December 30 11 A.M. to 7 P.M. but is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian A tradition in Spain is to have 2 sets of Wise Men. One showing them travel on camels and the other kneeling at the manger with the Christ child as is shown in this Christmas Around the World holiday event display.
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian This nutcracker which is over 6 feet tall is on of over 500 on display at the Christmas Around the World holiday event. There are also nativity displays from 80 countries.
Sherrie Lewis has assembled a huge collection of Christmas items, and she's really hoping everyone will come see it.
The "Christmas Around the World" exhibit includes more than 2,000 Nativity sets, plus ornaments, cards, nutcrackers, and, of course, Christmas trees, representing 23 countries and six continents. Local collectors donated the items and have been providing other support.
"People are coming with exhibit items, with help," Lewis said. "We just say 'we had a miracle' every day."
The exhibit is organized by country and includes museum-quality pieces, tribal handicrafts, even kitschy items based on cartoon characters.
With so many pieces on display, the initial impact is overwhelming.
"The most (Nativity sets) I've seen is 800, and we have over 2,000," Lewis said.
Christmas is the passion of the Lewis family. Lewis' husband, Bob, started collecting nutcrackers some 30 years ago -- he now has more than 500. Lewis has about as many Nativity sets.
Other notable items include an extensive collection of Latin American ceramics and other artifacts donated by Lee Clark, Sally Bylin and Evelyn Jacobi. Elizabeth Waite has loaned her collection of antique Bibles, including some that are hundreds of years old.
Some items, such as gingerbread houses and spun sugar frosting decorations, are made by local artists. Several pieces from Africa are also on display.
Each nation's exhibit includes storyboards to explain local customs and traditions, and Lewis is also conducting guided tours.
"This is of cultural, educational and also local benefit," Lewis said. "Children could learn a lot."
Lewis started the exhibit last year and is hoping to make it an annual event. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network.
Lewis said she had looked for sponsors to support the event, but discovered things are very tough this year.
"I went to 140 companies and heard back from four," Lewis said.
"It's hard to sponsor something when you've just laid off five people," she said.
Lewis said three companies, JM's children's store, Hillcrest Memorial Park and Kenyon Enterprises, have provided direct financial support, and others are selling tickets to their employees.
Lewis has added dining and lounge seating to the exhibit and is offering the event for parties and meetings. But if "Christmas Around the World" is to become a yearly event, she needs a lot more than the 1,000 visitors who came to see the exhibit last year.
"We need 10,000 to survive," Lewis said.
