Eureka Springs Nativity Decision Wraps-Up a Week of Attention

Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 3:44 PM

By Scott McCaulley @smcckc

Picture of Basin Park Christmas Display courtesy Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce

A long standing nativity scene in Eureka Springs can remain in place after the city had asked that it be removed.

The controversy generated national attention as word got around that the city had asked the current managers of the display, The Great Passion Play, to remove it from Basin Park, where it had been located most years during the Christmas Season since 1950. City officials told KNWA in Fayetteville that lawsuits had been threatened if the display was not removed from the park, which is public land.

Great Passion Play Director Randall Christy took to Social Media describing the potential of the display being removed which was covered by some national media outlets and shows. Eureka Springs Mayor Butch Berry, in a post Monday shared on the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, that the city had changed its mind and issued a permit for the scene to remain at Basin Park.

Berry said in the post that the city "...is following its philosophy of being inclusive of all people and all beliefs. We appreciate the emails and phone calls received from all over the country. And we wish everyone peace and goodwill toward all during this holiday season." Christy followed up with a post of thanks to the Mayor and those that supported the Nativity Scene remaining at its Basin Park location.