Bethlehem Marketplace In Buena Vista, Colorado

This year I acted in the walk-thru drama called the Bethlehem Marketplace, a bi-annual event held by Valley Fellowship Church in Buena Vista.

This is not merely a play; is a walk-thru drama where participants engage in a sometimes hectic and enlivening scene of a first century Bethlehem marketplace.

All visitors must register for the Roman Empire's census, as was the custom and noted in new testament scripture. Then visitors interact with Hebrew merchants who are trying to sell them things - baskets, brass, leather, food, you name it. To make the experience more realistic, visitors must check in with tax collectors who often take more than their fair share, all the while roman guards make an intimidating presence and sometimes shout at the crowd because they're mean. At the end is a beautiful Baby Jesus scene - the focus is obviously the wonderful story of God radically showing up on earth as a human.

Once the drama began, we had could not have any technological devices that didn't exist in the first century. Thus, I couldn't take pictures during the event. Below are some photos before the performance began. I didn't capture everyone and I apologize to those not included!

If you are in Buena Vista, Salida or elsewhere in Colorado, this is a worthwhile Christmas event to check out.

All the best,
Steve

	Photo Gallery Beggars at the entrance.
	Roman census takers.
	Roman guards.
	The mean and corrupt tax collectors.
	A rabbi teaches children in front of the synagogue.
	A brass merchant shows off his work.
	A young woman sells herbs and spices.
	A merchant of musical instruments.
	I think this woman was weaving something. :p)
	Women at the well.
	Three teenage fisherman. :)
	Hebrew scribes.
	A seller of jewelry.
	A 1st century doctor doing whatever he does.
	I'm not sure why the meat merchant had such a grim look on this face! Ha ha.
	A donkey and its caretaker.
	A family caring for two sheep. Bill Butler waves in the background. Goof! :)
	Ah the cutest boy in the entire marketplace!
	Bill, the innkeeper, with his two daughters.
	The angel has a less than reverant moment. :p)
	Yours truly. I was a sculptor... a creator of fine sculpture. :) Photos and commentary by Steve Garufi in Buena Vista, Colorado. Personal Website: www.coloradoguy.com Facebook: facebook.com/coloradoguycom Twitter: @stevegarufi