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REDWOOD CITY’S MONTHLY MAGAZINE
REDWOOD CITY’S BETHLEHEM A.D. OPENS DEC. 21
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Bethlehem A.D., the annual free-to-the-public
Christmas event in Redwood City, will open
Thursday, Dec. 21, and run through Saturday,
Dec. 23, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The event enters its
14th year at its original location at 1305 Middlefield
Road.
The three-night event has grown over the years from
a few dozen performers to a cast and crew of hundreds
along with live animals, craftsmen and dancers
entertaining and educating visitors about the true
meaning of Christmas. Crowds average in the thousands
by the time Bethlehem A.D. closes.
Visitors walk through the living re-creation of
Bethlehem on the first two nights and a drivethrough
option begins on the third night, Saturday,
Dec. 23.
Visitors can interact with the colorfully costumed
townspeople as they cook over fires, create pottery,
buy and sell in the marketplace and give account of
themselves to the census taker. Roman soldiers
patrol on horseback and Jewish sages and scholars
discuss the news that the Messiah has been born
somewhere nearby, while Magi negotiate the crowd,
searching for the Christ child.
The mood outside Bethlehem A.D. is as lively as
within the village walls. Roman soldiers direct traffic
alongside Redwood City police, and Bethlehem villagers
mingle with modern-day sojourners standing
in line.
Visitors receive a Certificate of Pilgrimage and can
warm up with free refreshments (hot coffee, cider
and goodies), served on the patio at host church
Peninsula Christian Center.
For more information call (650) 368-3821, ext.114,
or visit www.BethlehemAD.com.
BETHLEHEM A.D. BABY CAMELS
The “Newborn King” in the manger at Bethlehem
A.D. in Redwood City will be greeted by two more
special “babies” this year: two baby camels recently
adopted for Bethlehem A.D. The camels (both
dromedaries) are Willy Emmanuel, 6 months old,
and Wynonna Noel, 4 months old, who made their
debut at the Redwood City Hometown Holidays
Parade Dec. 2.
Born at Camel Hill Vineyards on June 1, Willy
Emmanuel was purchased for Bethlehem A.D. by
Will Richardson, who then entrusted the baby camel
to Joe and Viki Demma, who oversee Willy’s daily
care at their 40-acre ranch in La Honda. Wynonna
Noel was adopted as a companion for Willy. At the
Demma’s ranch, Willy and Wynonna can roam
freely and play with a menagerie of other animals
including goats, sheep, turkeys, ducks, dogs and cats,
and even a miniature horse named Adam, donated to
Bethlehem A.D. by Ted and Judy Hannig. Adam is
being groomed to pull the cart for the Holy Family
in next year’s Redwood City parade.
On a diet of hay, raw goat’s milk, veggies and fruit,
Willy will eventually weigh 1,600 to 1,800 pounds
and grow to 7 or 8 feet tall, measured to the top of
his hump. Wynonna will eventually weigh 1,400 to
1,600 pounds and grow to 7 feet tall.
Bethlehem A.D. is a living re-creation of the village
of Bethlehem on the night of the first Christmas.
Free to the public, the event attracts thousands of
visitors across three nights, Dec. 21 - 23, from 6 p.m.
to 9:30 p.m. nightly. Animals have always been an
integral part of Bethlehem A.D., which features a
petting zoo for children, with sheep, goats, calves
and a zee-donk (half zebra, half donkey), as well as
Brahmas, llamas, horses and camels, who are led
through the village to interact with visitors.
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