For 12 years prior to 2001 Doc and Pat Salens had been hosting a rooftop Christmas pageant near N. Columbus and E. Fifth Street. David and Susan Modisett took over eight years ago (due to Doc Salens’ poor health and subsequent death) to continue the tradition of the pageant, and urged neighbors to put up lights in their neighborhood (Poets’ Square Neighborhood, which is bounded by North Columbus Boulevard, North Swan Road, East Fifth Street, and East Broadway.) It’s been a great community building activity for those neighbors, with children and elderly participating yearly.

This year the event has been renamed Poets’ Square Rooftop Christmas Pageant.

The free outdoor pageant (including children acting as angels and elves, and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas”) is coming up at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday December 23, at 4352 E. Bryn Mawr St., which is one block south of E. Fifth Street and N. Columbus. You can follow the signs to get there.

Two 30-minute shows will be presented. Kids can also sit on Santa’s lap, so bring your camera for a special photo opportunity. Here’s a jolly photo of “Santa” Larry Pieper, his wife Charlene, and their pet beagle.

Santa and friends

And please also bring canned or packaged food for the Community Food Bank, which really needs help this holiday season.

This year Rincon High School co-host freshman Collin Mumme will be stepping in to assist his father Robert (recovering from back surgery) with the lights, and David Modisett (recovering from burns on his hands) with the pageant. Now that’s the true holiday spirit.

Happy Holidays courtesy of the Poets’ Square Neighborhood!