SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

A 40-foot-high nativity scene on a San Juan Capistrano hillside will be illuminated tonight at a special Thanksgiving Eve service at Rancho Capistrano Church.

Ten statues, including a 1,000-pound baby Jesus, will each be pumped with 1,500 watts of electricity at 7 p.m., said Lori Baxter, a church spokeswoman.

It is the largest such nativity scene in Orange County and has developed into a local seasonal landmark since it was first erected on the church grounds 10 years ago, she said.

Rancho Capistrano Church, a part of Crystal Cathedral Ministries, is on a 175-acre ranch at 29251 Camino Capistrano, just off Interstate 5 at the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road.