Peters Township store owner hosts seventh annual live nativity scene
The first time store owner Sarah Robinson asked Donaldson’s Crossroad management about hosting a live nativity scene, her idea initially wasn’t received all that well.

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Jacob Pitoniak as Joseph
“I remember the looks that I got,” she recalled. “They had just redone the mini-mall, and you can imagine: Bringing barn animals inside is not always an ideal scenario.”
But she persevered, and finally the proprietor of Iddy Biddy Fashions was permitted to put on a presentation.
This Dec. 15 marked the seventh annual live nativity, drawing a capacity crowd to the indoor section on the northern end of Donaldson’s Crossroads, where her children’s consignment shop has been located since 2010.
And these days, the Peters Township shopping center is highly supportive of the event.
“Three or four years into it, they decided that they believed so much in what we were doing here for the community that they began donating $250 every year toward the expense of the animals,” Robinson said. “Once that happened, I started thinking, well, maybe other people want to get involved, since it’s a community event. We had nine businesses and two personal friends of mine donate this year, and we were fully funded, 100 percent.”
The 2019 event featured a musical presentation by students at Laura Ann Christman’s South Hills Music Academy in Peters Township, with youngsters playing and singing the roles of Mary, Joseph, Archangel Gabriel and the Three Wise Men, along with a choir of angels.

Harry Funk/The Almanac
Bailey McKnight as Mary
Robinson said she started the tradition in 2013 to help counter the commercialization of Christmas.
“It’s all about Santa and the gifts, and so many children don’t even realize what it actually means,” she explained. “It’s Jesus’ birthday, so that’s what we do. We have a big party for Baby Jesus.”
As part of the celebration, children were invited to visit with some furry friends in the ever-popular petting zoo that apparently has caused no problems over the years. And in fact, it ended up serving as an inspiration for Robinson.
“It actually spurred my love for farm animals when I started doing this,” the Cecil Township resident said. “So I ended up getting four goats of my own.”
She is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Iddy Biddy Fashions in February, the same month that a second location is opening in North Strabane Township.

Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Sarah Robinson encourages young audience members to say, “Happy birthday, Jesus!”