A MESSAGE FROM THE BETHLEHEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM WILL SHINE BRIGHTLY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 

San Marcos, TX September 20, 2024:  A Night in Old Bethlehem, a local non-profit organization, has announced plans to host their annual event for one day on December 14, 2024 at San Marcos Plaza Park in San Marcos, Tx.  The event will run from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and will feature a recreation of the town of Bethlehem with a live nativity complete with the Holy Family, angels, shepherds, wise men and animals to tell the story of the birth of Christ in a meaningful and visual way.   

The town of Bethlehem is traditionally a part of The Sights and Sounds of Christmas celebration held the first two weeks of December.  In July of this year, Sights and Sounds announced that the Board of Directors were pausing planning of the event for 2024 for reasons cited in this  Press Release .  Since the town of Bethlehem is traditionally part of this bigger event, the Board of Directors for A Night in Old Bethlehem began to discuss how to implement our mission to bring the Christmas story to the community with the birth of Christ.   

The Sights and Sounds organization recently announced plans to host a one-day celebration centered around their popular annual 5K run and Kids Run on December 14, 2024.  A Night in Old Bethlehem was invited to set up the town of Bethlehem as part of this event.  In support of the long-standing partnership between the two groups, plans are being made to bring Bethlehem to the community on that Saturday.  

In addition to the live nativity, the town of Bethlehem will include FREE crafts booths where kids can make a drip candle and a keepsake toy.  Local potters will demonstrate how pottery is made by hand on the wheel and our ever- popular turkey legs will be on sale in the food court.  Words of encouragement will be offered in The King’s Tent and various Bethlehem residents in costume will circulate among guests, including Roman Soldiers and Wise Men. 

A Night in Old Bethlehem is run by volunteers and funded solely by donations from the community.  More information about how to donate online or volunteer can be found on the Give and Volunteer page.

BACKGROUND 

The mission of A Night in Old Bethlehem invites the community to discover the birth of Christ as they explore the town of Bethlehem.   

The town of Bethlehem has been an important part of The Sights and Sounds of Christmas celebration in San Marcos, TX since the early 1990s. It was organized by various volunteers and churches in the community over the years, but the event faced serious challenges with the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021.  A group of supporters came together in early 2023 to form a non-profit to stabilize the event, provide much needed structure and ensure continuity from year to year.   

A Board of Directors was formed in June of 2023 and the group incorporated as a Texas Non-profit under the name of A Night in Old Bethlehem.  501(c)3 status with the IRS was obtained later in 2023, a new logo was designed and a website designed with the capacity to take on-line donations. 

Under the leadership of the new Board of Directors, led by President Mike Tessaro, Bethlehem successfully implemented their goals for 2023 as the event was fully staffed by volunteers for all 6 nights.  The town featured the nativity, free kids crafts, and food booths as in years past. Support and volunteers were supplied by local churches and youth groups, social civic organizations, and businesses. 

With a solid base of support in the community, the Board of Directors of A Night in Old Bethlehem looks forward to another successful event on December 14 with an eye to building a thriving organization to support 2025 and beyond.      

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT  

Mike Tessaro, President, A Night in Old Bethlehem Board of Directors, 512.393.8511, tessaro.michael@gmail.com 

Pat Tessaro, Treasurer, A Night in Old Bethlehem Board of Directors, 512.393.7940, patessaro55@gmail.com