What impressed Andy Busch the most when he played the character of Joseph in the Follow the Star Family Treasure Hunt last year was “the kids’ faces. The delight and joy in seeing the characters and seeing the Bible come alive.”

Follow the Star Family Treasure Hunt is part of Dakota Hope Clinic’s Festival of Trees event being held this weekend at the North State Fair Center. The festival runs Friday and Saturday, and the Follow the Star event takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

Young children, accompanied by their parents, may follow the star to learn about the birth of Jesus. Along the way they will learn from local volunteers who play the parts of Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, shepherds, the three wise men and angels.

Busch, who teaches high school religion classes at Our Redeemer’s Christian School in Minot, also mentioned the reactions of the parents who were “watching behind their kids with smiles on their faces.” Acting as Joseph, Busch shared what it was like for Joseph traveling with a pregnant wife and trying to find a place to stay when there was nothing available.

This year will be the third year that Habeebe Rice of Minot has played the character of Mary, Jesus’ mother.

“I have always been touched by the Virgin Mary and bringing Christ to earth, thanks to God,” she said.

Rice said she feels called to play this part, stemming from her childhood when her grandfather would refer to her lovingly as the Virgin Mary.

“Now that I have a baby of my own, I can’t imagine bringing a child into this world that is going to be taken from me – the ultimate sacrifice,” Rice said. “If there was someone in the Bible that I could speak to, it would be Mary.”

Rice said the children are “always amazed when they see Baby Jesus in my arms. They try to touch the cloth wrapped around him.” She said the children have probably heard the story of Jesus’ birth, “but it’s in front of them” when they participate in the Follow the Star Family Treasure Hunt.

“I just love being part of this story,” she said. “It’s just really close to my heart.”

One thing that makes the Follow the Star event so realistic is the nativity scene built by Wade Nelson of Minot. It is the first nativity scene he has built, and it was a meaningful endeavor.

“I’m an evangelist at heart, so everything I do I do unto the Lord,” Nelson, who serves as one of the pastors at The Pursuit in Minot, said. After the Festival of Trees event, a local church will use the nativity scene. Then Nelson will store it again until the next event.

He and his wife support Dakota Hope Clinic in many ways. He has also built large backyard Jenga and Yahtzee games, written poems and professionally framed them, and offered other items for the live auction that is part of the Festival of Trees. The Saturday evening dinner and live auction is “an elegant night, a time of fellowship,” he said.

Jennifer Lade of Minot brought her children to the Festival of Trees events last year.

“My kids and I did the Family Fun Run. We really enjoyed it,” said Lade, a monthly supporter of Dakota Hope Clinic. “I was so excited to hear when we were getting a pregnancy help center.”

A woman she knows who was pregnant and went to Dakota Hope Clinic for assistance “had nothing but good to say about” the ministry, she said.

Other Festival of Trees activities include Tea in the Trees from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Oh What Fun Family Night from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Concert in the Trees and Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dashing through the Snow 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and 5K Run/Walk starting at noon Saturday, and the dinner and auction Saturday evening, with doors opening at 5 p.m.