Experience Easter at the Holy City of the Wichitas

People of all ages participate in the pageant. More than 100 people from the area have roles to play. Costume are also made by locals and make for a colorful performance.A wider view of the Holy City, which is made of stone from the nearby mountains and hills. Thousands of people watch the pageant each year from this field.A statue of Jesus stands on one of the hills in the Holy City of the Wichitas. The area is mountainous just as the area was where Jesus lived 2000 year ago. The area is next to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Okla.View the list »
The easter pageant near Lawton, Oklahoma is the longest running pageant in the nation

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For a different type of Easter celebration consider a trip to Lawton, Okla., to see the Easter Pageant in the Holy City of the Wichitas.

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The pageant started in 1926 with just a few people on Easter morning, and has been growing since that time. The Wichita mountains around Lawton reminded a pastor there of the countryside around Israel where Jesus lived, which was in inspiration for starting the pageant.

They have built a stone city on one side of the mountain, and people sit on the other side to watch the performance.

Performances are set for 8:30 p.m., on March 23 and 30. The show is put on by volunteers and more than 100 people from the area participate. They tell the entire story of Jesus, from birth, to crucifixion to resurrection, during the pageant.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. The center is open year round for tours. You may become a citizen of the Holy City for a donation and you will receive a certificate. There is a gift shop on the grounds.

Lawton is about 250 miles south of Wichita, Kansas, so you might have to get a room in Lawton.

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  • A statue of Jesus stands on one of the hills in the Holy City of the Wichitas. The area is mountainous just as the area was where Jesus lived 2000 year ago. The area is next to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Okla.
  • A wider view of the Holy City, which is made of stone from the nearby mountains and hills. Thousands of people watch the pageant each year from this field.
  • People of all ages participate in the pageant. More than 100 people from the area have roles to play. Costume are also made by locals and make for a colorful performance.
  • The stone is rolled away after Jesus was resurrected on the third day. This comes at the end of the pageant and is a dramatic conclusion to the program.
  • A hand painted sign tells the basic story of the pageant. There are also many other things to see, and a lot of nature to enjoy, in the area around the holy city.
View the list
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, Wichita Day Trips Examiner

About the only thing James Jordan likes better than exploring the countryside, is to talk about exploring the countryside. He will use his years of newspaper reporting experience to guide your exploration.

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