miniature magic

On a cold, snowy Dec. 25 in 1937, Jay Grimes celebrated his first Christmas. And while the Grimes family enjoyed winter’s most famous holiday, another tradition was born.

Unbeknownst to Jay, Leatha Grimes, his mother, had bought the first Christmas miniature house of a collection that would eventually grow into The Grimes Family Christmas Scene.

Twenty-two years later in Crook County, at Jay’s son Fred’s first Christmas, the festive set was passed down to Jay’s wife, Beth. While the collection has grown from modest beginnings to number in the tens of thousands, the sentimental nature of the pieces remain the same.

After years of hosting the display at the Grimes’ home, and then various locations throughout Prineville, The Grimes Family Christmas Scene found a home in 2012 in the Old Schoolhouse at the Crook County Fairgrounds.

“Every little village has been created because someone gave me a piece,” explained 73-year-old Beth Grimes. “For example, a friend bought me a glass piece for Christmas, so I bought some more to go along with it.”

The collection consists of various themed displays, from the six dragons that represent her grandchildren to an Oregon Coast arrangement. Most of the sets are displayed all at once.

Grimes buys pieces from Hallmark, which she insists she should own stock in, and just about every kind of shop imaginable. Among her first purchased items were a flying Santa Claus to replace one that was handed down and a nativity scene.

“Once, while my husband was looking at a rifle in a used antiques shop in Baker City, I found a little covered wagon,” recalled Grimes. “So, I created a wagon train.”

In 1992, the last year the collection was set up at their Prineville home, roughly 2,000 people, along with Channel 2 News Portland, came to view it. Recognizing its success, the Grimes decided the display needed to be moved. Luckily, the Prineville Chamber of Commerce helped secure suitable locations, including its current home at the fairgrounds.

“The growth and move were progressive,” explained Grimes. “First, we enjoyed it as a family. Then, I won a Christmas lights contest sponsored by the Chamber. The judges were so impressed they said I should share it with the community.”

First, the display expanded when the Grimes moved into a larger house and had the ability to host visitors. After 1992’s visit from Channel 2 News Portland, the Grimes knew they had to display the ever-expanding collection elsewhere. A mix of vacant buildings, empty storefronts and even the Bowman Museum Annex took turns hosting the scene.

In the past, Grimes would set up the display on her own, but now friends pitch in to help. Luckily, by keeping the collection displayed in the same location as last year, Grimes is fortunate to not have to complete the arduous task of assembly this year.

“I always felt fortunate when friends would help and people would offer up their vacant buildings to host the collection,” said Grimes.

The visitors who come to view the collection run the gamut of age and personality. Last year, hundreds of school-aged children came through. In total, more than 4,000 enjoyed the display.

“You can’t predict who is going to be intrigued and who is going to be bored,” said Grimes. “Kids love the pieces that move.”

“I have been through it a dozen or so times,” said Prineville resident Stanley Flynn. “The older ones are my favorite. I have a hard time not touching them. I get a new favorite one every time I go through.”

Last year, Grimes incorporated a scavenger hunt that was very popular among the children. It made them stop and really look at the pieces.

“A couple of years ago, a little girl came up to me and said, ‘Do you know you have a naked lady in there?’” said Jay Grimes, laughing. “Sure enough, we had a glass fairy without clothes.”

All in all, The Grimes Family Christmas Scene personifies Prineville’s community spirit. The Grimes family donates the display for viewing, the county offers a space at the fairgrounds, and thousands of people enjoy it. Even the kids take part in growing the display. Children such as the young daughter of one of Beth’s friends who saw the scene and immediately donated her Goldilocks figurine she had just received from McDonalds. She said it belonged there. Afterward, Beth started a scene based upon old stories and books.

While her husband prefers the glass arrangements, Grimes insists she has no favorites when it comes to the pieces. Instead she compares them to children, each special in their own way.

“Christmas is all about sharing,” explained Grimes. “If you can’t share, then why have it? If I had the audience who wanted to see it every day, I would be down there every day.”