Crewe Mayor Greg Eanes announced he will be holding a ‘Nativity Scene’ contest in the Town of Crewe again this Christmas season with three prizes of $100 for the best all-around Nativity scene and $50 for the two runners-up. Citizens of the Jewish faith are encouraged to display Hanukkah menorahs.

Eanes said, “We Christians celebrate Christmas in remembrance of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nativity scenes at Christmastime are a part of our American cultural heritage. As potential litigation by atheists prevents us from placing a Nativity scene in front of town hall, long a signal to children of Crewe that Christmas was around the corner, we are asking Crewe citizens that are willing to erect a traditional Nativity scene as part of their annual Christmas decorations to serve as a constant reminder of the ‘reason for the season,’”

“We also want to remember the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, a holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem,” Eanes said. “Crewe once had a very active Jewish community involved in business and civic affairs. Among them was Warren Becker, killed in action at Anzio in World War II and (listed) among the names on our war memorial at town hall.”

There are no entry forms to file, as everyone that publicly displays a Nativity scene is automatically considered by the judges, who will remain secret and drive around town to observe decorations. The contest ends Dec. 31. The prize money is a personal check from the mayor, and no taxpayer dollars are used.