WALDORF, Md. — A Southern Maryland business brought the spirit of the season to the nation’s capital on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, helping families experience the Christmas story live during a holiday concert at the Kennedy Center. The same live nativity that many local residents have seen throughout the month at churches, parades, and holiday markets across the region was featured as part of the evening’s celebration.
Mary’s Go Round Pony Rides and Petting Zoo, based in Waldorf, provided the animals and staging for a live nativity outside the Kennedy Center following the one-night-only performance of Noel: Jesus Is Born! inside the Opera House.
Mary Cox, owner of Mary’s Go Round, said the Kennedy Center invitation stood out even among decades of holiday appearances.
“I’ve been in business for 34 years and every year it just gets busier and busier, and while all our church nativity jobs are magical and heartwarming, being invited to the Kennedy Center was exciting,” Cox said. “Being backstage and then watching my donkey walk onto the stage was a different level of excitement and pride.”
Cox said the moment held personal significance, comparing it to a longtime holiday tradition.
“I go to NYC every December and see the Rockettes show, and their live nativity at the end is always special to me, and being at the Kennedy Center made me feel like a smaller version of that,” she said.
Noel: Jesus Is Born! is a musical production that blends Scripture, narration, and worship music to present the story of Christ’s birth in a fresh and meaningful way. Originally composed by Lanny Wolfe, with narration by Bob Benson and orchestration by Don Marsh, the work has remained a best-seller in church music circles since its debut. The program is known for its timeless message and emotional impact, combining traditional carols with contemporary arrangements to create a worship experience that feels both classic and current.
Following the performance, Mary’s Go Round set up a live nativity outside the venue, offering families and concertgoers an interactive extension of the Christmas story. The display added a traditional, hands-on element to the Kennedy Center’s broader holiday celebration and marked one of the group’s most high-profile appearances of the season. The appearance also coincided with the Kennedy Center’s inaugural Christmas tree lighting ceremony, held earlier that evening as part of the venue’s broader holiday celebration.
The Kennedy Center engagement was part of a busy December schedule that has taken the Southern Maryland-based business to churches, parades, and seasonal markets across the region. Throughout the month, Mary’s Go Round Pony Rides and Petting Zoo has provided live nativities at multiple faith-based and community events, often incorporating animals into both indoor and outdoor settings.
You may recognize the group from their popular live nativity setup at the Kris Kringle Christmas Market at the Charles County Fairgrounds in La Plata, where they’ve become a beloved tradition alongside holiday shopping, craft vendors, and seasonal entertainment.
Throughout the month, Mary’s Go Round made stops at local churches, markets, and parades—delighting families with interactive animal displays woven into both indoor and outdoor holiday events.
To learn more, book an appearance, or see where they’ll be next, visit marysgoroundponyrides.com. You can also email ponyladymary@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook for updates.
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