Community Corner

Live Animal Nativity to Arrive in Scotch Plains on Friday

Former Mayor Joan Papen discussed the nativity at Tuesday's Scotch Plains council meeting.

A live animal nativity will again be installed on the Scotch Plains municipal building property beginning on Friday and will stay until the Monday after Christmas. 

Former Mayor Joan Papen discussed the nativity at Tuesday's Scotch Plains council meeting, noting that two years ago there was not a manger and many residents were upset. Papen says the animals were knocking over the statues inside the manger and so the police department kept getting called out to pick them up. Now, Papen explained, the nativity scene is instead painted on the back of the manger, to allow more room for the animals. 

"Years ago when this town didn't have so many houses we did have a lot of animals around," said Papen. "Now we have a few horses but not anything else, so it's great for kids to come down and see the animals."

Those involved in the live nativity are still raising funds to pay for it.

"For some reason there was no money budgeted the past two years," she noted.

She encouraged council members and residents to donate toward the nativity by sending a check to the township with a note that it is for the Christmas manager. 

"Now I wasn't able to get an elephant for the Republicans, but I did get a cute miniature donkey for the Democrats," said Papen with a laugh. "He was there last year and he just loves people, he loves the kids."

Do you visit the animals in the live nativity? Tell us in the comments.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here