The annual Vern Riffe School Christmas program will be performed on Dec. 19, 2023, beginning at 1 p.m. in the gymnasium of the VRS school in Portsmouth, Ohio.

The show will include a musical performance including a choir and a piano soloist, as well as dancing and acting. Students have been actively rehearsing since early November, and Jones said they are excited to perform. The community is invited to attend, and admission to the show is just one canned food item to donate to the VRS pantry.

“Each classroom will be bringing to the program a song with a presentation,” said Dana Jones, classroom services facilitator. “All the kids are involved and we focus on their strengths to give the audience a great performance.”

While at the show, visitors are also invited to tour the arrangement of gingerbread houses created by each of the classrooms, and can vote for their favorite. The theme for this year’s gingerbread house contest is Whoville, and the winning gingerbread house will be announced on Facebook following the performance.

For more information about the programs and services at Scioto County Developmental Disabilities, call 740-353-0636 or visit online at www.sciotocountydd.org, and like and follow them on Facebook and TikTok.