Metro Richmond Zoo hosts annual free Christmas Nativity pageant

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- 8News got a visit from two special guests from the Metro Richmond Zoo on Friday to talk about the upcoming Miracle of Christmas event.

8News anchors Autumn Childress and Madison Moore were joined by the zoo's communications manager, Taylor Andelin, and a special wooly friend, Evangeline, to discuss this weekend's exciting holiday pageant.

"It's a live Christmas Nativity pageant. We have live music and live animals -- like Evangeline, we have Bactrian camels, goats, sheep and a donkey," Andelin said. "The animals add to the authentic experience of the Christmas story."

Miracle of Christmas will be presented three times each evening on Dec. 20-22 at the entrance for the zoo -- located at 8300 Beaver Bridge Road. Zoo gates will open at 6:15 a.m. with the first show starting at 7 a.m.

Admission and parking are free with food options like doughnuts and hot chocolate available for purchase. Proceeds will go towards benefitting local charities. There will also be an optional canned food drive to help those in need.

For more information about the event, visit the Metro Richmond Zoo's website.