Easter is special in Wachula, Florida where an annual passion play, Story of Jesus, is held in the Cattlemens' Arena with over 200 volunteers and nearly two hundred animals, including the alpacas.  Pastor Mike Graham orchestrates this massive production, often playing to a full house of 1300 with "standing room only."

It's about a four hour event going from the birth of Jesus through to His return as King...wearing a gold crown and riding a white stallion (actually the horse is blind) with fireworks blazing behind His entrance at the end.  All the scenery, costumes, and props such as wooden wagons (and wheels), ship, cages, pottery, carts, cahrriots and such are made by members of the cast after doing intense research into what was what through the life of Christ.  The Roman soldiers' outfits are especially well designed as are the coverings for their horses.

Two enormously large oxen joined the cast of animals this year, and kept a suspicious couple of eyes on the alpacas during some scenes.  Three 9' high camels are in it along with about 50 goats and a bunch of chickens.   In the middle of it all, Jesus does healing and is prosecuted, eventually cruicified, Roman soldiers on horseback pull up the crosses holding the bodies.   Angels (live folks in angelic outfits) fly overhead at times and some scenes actually "rain" indoors amid the fog of the moment.

Prior to the start of the show, in the large make up and costuming room, Pastor Mike stands on a table to go over fine details and leads the cast and crew in prayer.

After the production, Paster Mike invites audience members to "come to know Jesus" and holds baptisms for some in a pond built like a "river" in the cattleman's arena.  Everything is detailed, and designed to replicate the things of the time of Christ.  Over a hundred actors of the nearly two hundred people involved have participated in this "labor of love"  for a decade or so out of it's 20-some year run.  Check it out at www.storyofjesus.com and think about joining the Friday and Saturday night crowds that come from all over the world to see this spectacular production in Hardee County, Florida.

Donations are accepted to help keep and feed the animals and maintain upkeep on the hand made props.  Word-of-mouth about how spectacular this "cow town production" ministry truly is spreads throughout Florida pretty quick with church groups.  The set is estimated to have cost about $350,000 to develop, the lighting and sound systems are superb, and the cast members are very well rehearsed with some participating in all 20+ years of the extravaganza that bring the story of Jesus to life for so many. Some audience members have returned several times over the years and seem to be rejuvnated, excited about the annual improvements.

With several acres of parking and a half dozen sheriff deputies plus large staff assisting the audience members, the event is well organzed and people easily  move about during the mid-way break and after the show.  Food and drink vendors are handy outside the arena as are the restroom facilities.  All in all, this is a "Class A" production in all aspects. The Story of Jesus plays for eight weekends including Easter weekend.