Springfield Nativity Pageant begins tonight

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD -- Lambs and mules will bay, children will be dressed as angels and the choir will sing for the Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in front of packed bleachers tonight as the Springfield Nativity Pageant begins at 7 p.m. at Riverside Park.

For Springfield hog and sheep farmer Ed Meidl, one of the three kings who will lead their procession, the warm weather will make things a piece of cake.

But then, for Meidl, the pageant is one of the highlights of his life, no matter what the weather.

Meidl has been in the pageant 15 of its 16 years. Last year, a severe winter storm forced the event to be called off.

It spoiled the holiday season for Meidl, among others.

"It just didn't seem like Christmas last year when we had to call it off," Meidl said. "It brings something extra to he holiday season."

Meidl has performed in the pageant in very cold weather like 20 below zero F. and much colder wind chills.

No matter. He never wears gloves.

"I don't know. I just love it. There's just something special about coming out here. My blood gets warmed up or something," Meidl said. "I work outside often in the winter. We aren't just grain farmers. We've got plenty of work to do in the winter too."

Meidl is president of SANTA, the organization that performs the annual pageant.

The pageant includes all local talent.

The other two kings, besides Meidl are Linus Stifter and Todd Wells.

Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus will be performed by Curt and Roxanne Baumann and their five-month-old son, Andrew.

Ann Miesen will portray Mary when she meets Elizabeth, played by Laurie Krueger for one pageant. Mary Stifter will portray Elizabeth in the second pageant.

The innkeeper's family will be portrayed by Greg and Linda Roiger and their daughters.

Other cast members are Scott Jones (King Herod), Lynn and Mary Beth Hoffmann and their children Kyle Schwartz and Anastasia Pauluk (townspeople).

Shepherds and scribes will be played by Rod Salonek, John Miesen, Jacob Meisen, Nathan Potter, Abraham Krueger, Gilbert Anderson, Marvin Roiger, Cody Schwartz, Merle Krueger, David Krueger, Paul Anderson and Scott Davidson.